RICHARD CARVEL

By Winston Churchill

Volume 5. 

XXVI. The Part Horatio playedXXVII. In which I am sore temptedXXVIII. Arlington StreetXXIX. I meet a very Great Young ManXXX. A ConspiracyXXXI. "Upstairs into the World"XXXII. Lady Tankerville's Drum-majorXXXIII. Drury Lane

CHAPTER XXVI

THE PART HORATIO PLAYED

The bailiff's business was quickly settled. I heard the heavy doorsclose at our backs, and drew a deep draught of the air God has made forall His creatures alike. Both the captain and I turned to the windows towave a farewell to the sad ones we were leaving behind, who gatheredabout the bars for a last view of us, for strange as it may seem, themere sight of happiness is often a pleasure for those who are sad. Acoach in private arms and livery was in waiting, surrounded by a crowd. They made a lane for us to pass, and stared at the young lady of queenlybeauty coming out of the sponging-house until the coachman snapped hiswhip in their faces and the footman jostled them back. When we were gotin, Dolly and I on the back seat, Comyn told the man to go to Mr. Manners's. 

"Oh, no!" I cried, scarce knowing what I said; "no, not there!" For thethought of entering the house in Arlington Street was unbearable. 

Both Comyn and Dorothy gazed at me in astonishment. 

"And pray, Richard, why not'?" she asked. "Have not your old friendsthe right to receive you. "

It was my Lord who saved me, for I was in agony what to say. 

"He is still proud, and won't go to Arlington Street dressed like abargeman. He must needs plume, Miss Manners. "

I glanced anxiously at Dorothy, and saw that she was neither satisfiednor appeased. Well I remembered every turn of her head, and every curveof her lip! In the meantime we were off through Cursitor Street at agallop, nearly causing the death of a ragged urchin at the corner ofChancery Lane. I had forgotten my eagerness to know whence they hadheard of my plight, when some words from Comyn aroused me. 

"The carriage is Mr. Horace Walpole's, Richard. He has taken a greatfancy to you. "

"But I have never so much as clapped eyes upon him!" I exclaimed inperplexity. 

"How about his honour with whom you supped at Windsor? how about thelandlord you spun by the neck? You should have heard the company laughwhen Horry told us that! And Miss Dolly cried out that she was sure itmust be Richard, and none other. Is it not so, Miss Manners?"

"Really, my Lord, I can't remember, " replied Dolly, looking out of thecoach window. "Who put those frightful skulls upon Temple Bar?"

Then the mystery of their coming was clear to me, and the superiorgentleman at the Castle Inn had been the fashionable dabbler in arts andletters and architecture of Strawberry Hill, of whom I remembered havingheard Dr. Courtenay speak, Horace Walpole. But I was then far tooconcerned about Dorothy to listen to more. Her face was still turnedaway from me, and she was silent. I could have cut out my tongue for myblunder. Presently, when we were nearly out of the Strand, she turnedupon me abruptly. 

"We have not yet heard, Richard, " she said, "how you got into such apredicament. "

"Indeed, I don't know myself, Dolly. Some scoundrel bribed the captainof the slaver. For I take it Mr. Walpole has told you I was carried offon a slaver, if he recalled that much of the story. "

"I don't mean that, " answered Dolly, impatiently. "There is somethingstrange about all this. How is it that you were in prison?"

"Mr. Dix, my grandfather's agent, took me for an impostor and wouldadvance me no money, " I answered, hard pushed. 

But Dorothy had a woman's instinct, which is often the best ofunderstanding. And I was beginning to think that a suspicion was at thebottom of her questions. She gave her head an impatient fling, and, as Ifeared, appealed to John Paul. 

"Perhaps you can tell me, captain, why he did not come to his friends inhis trouble. "

And despite my signals to him he replied: "In truth, my dear lady, hehaunted the place for a sight of you, from the moment he set foot inLondon. "

Comyn laughed, and I felt the blood rise to my face, and kicked John Paulviciously. Dolly retained her self-possession. 

"Pho!" says she; "for a sight of me! You seamen are all alike. For asight of me! And had you not strength enough to lift a knocker, sir, --you who can raise a man from the ground with one hand?"

"'Twas before his tailor had prepared him, madam, and he feared todisgrace you, " the captain gravely continued, and I perceived how futileit were to attempt to stop him. "And afterward--"

"And afterward?" repeated Dorothy, leaning forward. 

"And afterward he went to Arlington Street with Mr. Dix to seek Mr. Manners, that he might be identified before that gentleman. Heencountered Mr. Manners and his Grace of Something. "

"Chartersea, " put in Comyn, who had been listening eagerly. "Getting outof a coach, " said the captain. 

"When was this?" demanded Dorothy of me, interrupting him. Her voice wassteady, but the colour had left her face. 

"About three weeks ago. "

"Please be exact, Richard. "

"Well, if you must, " said I, "the day was Tuesday, and the time abouthalf an hour after two. "

She said nothing for a while, trying to put down an agitation which wasbeginning to show itself in spite of her effort. As for me, I was almostwishing myself back in the sponginghouse. 

"Are you sure my father saw you?" she asked presently. 

"As clearly as you do now, Dolly, " I said. 

"But your clothes? He might have gone by you in such. "

"I pray that he did, Dorothy, " I replied. But I was wholly convincedthat Mr. Manners had recognized me. 

"And--and what did he say?" she asked. 

For she had the rare courage that never shrinks from the truth. I thinkI have never admired and pitied her as at that moment. 

"He said to the footman, " I answered, resolved to go through with it now, "'Give the man a shilling. ' That was his Grace's suggestion. "

My Lord uttered something very near an oath. And she spoke not a wordmore until I handed her out in Arlington Street. The rest of us weresilent, too, Comyn now and again giving me eloquent glances expressive ofwhat he would say if she were not present; the captain watching her witha furtive praise, and he vowed to me afterward she was never so beautifulas when angry, that he loved her as an avenging Diana. But I was uneasy, and when I stood alone with her before the house I begged her not tospeak to her father of the episode. 

"Nay, he must be cleared of such an imputation, Richard, " she answeredproudly. "He may have made mistakes, but I feel sure he would never turnyou away when you came to him in trouble--you, the grandson of his oldfriend, Lionel Carvel. "

"Why bother over matters that are past and gone? I would have borne anhundred such trials to have you come to me as you came to-day, Dorothy. And I shall surely see you again, " I said, trying to speak lightly; "andyour mother, to whom you will present my respects, before I sail forAmerica. "

She looked up at me, startled. 

"Before you sail for America!" she exclaimed, in a tone that made methrill at once with joy and sadness. "And are you not, then, to seeLondon now you are here?"

"Are you never coming back, Dolly?" I whispered; for I feared Mr. Marmaduke might appear at any moment; "or do you wish to remain inEngland always?"

For an instant I felt her pressure on my hand, and then she had fled intothe house, leaving me standing by the steps looking after her. Comyn'svoice aroused me. 

"To the Star and Garter!" I heard him command, and on the way to PallMall he ceased not to rate Mr. Manners with more vigour than propriety. "I never liked the little cur, d--n him! No one likes him, Richard, " hedeclared. "All the town knows how Chartersea threw a bottle at him, andwere it not for his daughter he had long since been put out of White's. Were it not for Miss Dolly I would call him out for this cowardly trick, and then publish him. "

"Nay, my Lord, I had held that as my privilege, " interrupted the captain, "were it not, as you say, for Miss Manners. "

His Lordship shot a glance at John Paul somewhat divided betweensurprise, resentment, and amusement. 

"Now you have seen the daughter, captain, you perceive it is impossible, "I hastened to interpose. 

"How in the name of lineage did she come to have such a father?" Comynwent on. "I thank Heaven he's not mine. He's not fit to be her lackey. I would sooner twenty times have a profligate like my Lord Sandwich for aparent than a milk and water sop like Manners, who will risk nothing overa crown piece at play or a guinea at Newmarket. By G--, Richard, " saidhis Lordship, bringing his fist against the glass with near force enoughto break the pane, "I have a notion why he did not choose to see you thatday. Why, he has no more blood than a louse!"

I had come to the guess as soon as he, but I dared not give it voice, nor anything but ridicule. And so we came to the hotel, the red ofdeparting day fading in the sky above the ragged house-line in St. James's Street. 

It was a very different reception we got than when we had first comethere. You, my dears, who live in this Republic can have no notion ofthe stir and bustle caused by the arrival of Horace Walpole's carriageat a fashionable hotel, at a time when every innkeeper was versed in thearms of every family of note in the three kingdoms. Our friend thechamberlain was now humility itself, and fairly ran in his eagerness toanticipate Comyn's demands. It was "Yes, my Lord, " and "To be sure, yourLordship, " every other second, and he seized the first occasion to makeme an elaborate apology for his former cold conduct, assuring me that hadour honours been pleased to divulge the fact that we had friends inLondon, such friends as my Lord Comyn and Mr. Walpole, whose great fatherhe had once had the distinction to serve as linkman, all would have beenwell. And he was desiring me particularly to comprehend that he had beenacting under most disagreeable orders when he sent for the bailiff, before I cut him short. 

We were soon comfortably installed in our old rooms; Comyn had sentpost-haste for Davenport, who chanced to be his own tailor, and for thewhole army of auxiliaries indispensable to a gentleman's make-up; and Mr. Dix was notified that his Lordship would receive him at eleven on thefollowing morning, in my rooms. I remembered the faithful Banks with atwinge of gratitude, and sent for him. And John Paul and I, having beenduly installed in the clothes made for us, all three of us sat downmerrily to such a supper as only the cook of the Star and Garter, who hadbeen chef to the Comte de Maurepas, could prepare. Then I begged Comynto relate the story of our rescue, which I burned to hear. 

"Why, Richard, " said he, filling his glass, "had you run afoul any otherman in London, save perchance Selwyn, you'd have been drinking thebailiff's triple-diluted for a month to come. I never knew such a braceof fools as he and Horry for getting hold of strange yarns and makingthem stranger; the wonder was that Horry told this as straight as he did. He has written it to all his friends on the Continent, and had he notbeen in dock with the gout ever since he reached town, he would have toldit at the opera, and at a dozen routs and suppers. Beg pardon, captain, "said he, turning to John Paul, "but I think 'twas your peacock coat thatsaved you both, for it caught Horry's eye through the window, as you gotout of the chaise, and down he came as fast as he could hobble. 

"Horry had a little dinner to-day in Arlington Street, where he lives, and Miss Dorothy was there. I have told you, Richard, there has been nosensation in town equal to that of your Maryland beauty, since Lady SarahLennox. You may have some notion of the old beau Horry can be when hetries, and he is over-fond of Miss Dolly--she puts him in mind ofsome canvas or other of Sir Peter's. He vowed he had been saving thispiece de resistance, as he was pleased to call it, expressly for her, since it had to do somewhat with Maryland. 'What d'ye think I met atWindsor, Miss Manners?' he cries, before we had begun the second course. 

"'Perhaps a repulse from his Majesty, ' says Dolly, promptly. 

"'Nay, ' says Mr. Walpole, making a face, for he hates a laugh at hiscost; nothing less than a young American giant, with the attire of Dr. Benjamin Franklin and the manner of the Fauxbourg Saint Germain. But hehad a whiff of deer leather about him, and shoulders and back and legs tomake his fortune at Hockley in the Hole, had he lived two generationssince. And he had with him a strange, Scotch sea-captain, who hadrescued him from pirates, bless you, no less. That is, he said he was asea-captain; but he talked French like a Parisian, and quoted Shakespearelike Mr. Burke or Dr. Johnson. He may have been M. Caron deBeaumarchais, for I never saw him, or a soothsayer, or Cagliostro themagician, for he guessed my name. '

"'Guessed your name!' we cried, for the story was out of the ordinary. 

"'Just that, ' answered he, and repeated some damned verse I never heard, with Horatio in it, and made them all laugh. "

John Paul and I looked at each other in astonishment, and we, too, laughed heartily. It was indeed an odd coincidence. 

His Lordship continued:"'Well, be that as it may, ' said Horry, 'he was an able man of sagacity, this sea-captain, and, like many another, had a penchant for being agentleman. But he was more of an oddity than Hertford's beast ofGevaudan, and was dressed like Salvinio, the monkey my Lord Hollandbrought back from his last Italian tour. '"

I have laughed over this description since, my dears, and so has JohnPaul. But at that time I saw nothing funny in it, and winced with himwhen Comyn repeated it with such brutal unconsciousness. However, youngEnglishmen of birth and wealth of that day were not apt to consider thefeelings of those they deemed below them. 

"Come to your story. Comyn, " I cut in testily. 

But his Lordship missed entirely the cause of my displeasure. 

"Listen to him!" he exclaimed good-naturedly. "He will hear of nothingbut Miss Dolly. Well, Richard, my lad, you should have seen her as Horrywent on to tell that you had been taken from Maryland, with her headforward and her lips parted, and a light in those eyes of hers to make aman fall down and worship. For Mr. Lloyd, or some one in your Colony, had written of your disappearance, and I vow bliss Dorothy has not beenthe same since. Nor have I been the only one to remark it, " said he, waving off my natural protest at such extravagance. "We have talked ofyou more than once, she and I, and mourned you for dead. But I am off mycourse again, as we sailors say, captain. Horry was describing howRichard lifted little Goble by one hand and spun all the dignity out ofhim, when Miss Manners broke in, being able to contain herself no longer. 

"'An American, Mr. Walpole, and from Maryland?' she demanded. And theway she said it made them all look at her. 

"'Assurement, mademoiselle, ' replied Horry, in his cursed French; andperhaps you know him. He would gladden the heart of Frederick ofPrussia, for he stands six and three if an inch. I took such a fancy tothe lad that I invited him to sup with me, and he gave me back a messagefit for Mr. Wilkes to send to his Majesty, as haughty as you choose, thatif I desired him I must have his friend in the bargain. You Americansare the very devil for independence, Miss Manners! 'Ods fish, I likedhis spirit so much I had his friend, Captain something or other--'andthere he stopped, caught by Miss Manners's appearance, for she was verywhite. 

"'The name is Richard Carvel!' she cried. 

"'I'll lay a thousand it was!' I shouted, rising in my chair. And thecompany stared, and Lady Pembroke vowed I had gone mad. 

"'Bless me, bless me, here's a romance for certain!' cried Horry; 'itthrows my "Castle of Otranto" in the shade' ("that's some damned book hehas written, " Comyn interjected). 

"You may not believe me, Richard, when I say that Miss Dolly ate butlittle after that, and her colour came and went like the red of a stormysunset at sea. 'Here's this dog Richard come to spill all our chances, ' Iswore to myself. The company had been prodigiously entertained by thetale, and clamoured for more, and when Horry had done I told how you hadfought me at Annapolis, and had saved my life. But Miss Manners sat verystill, biting her lip, and I knew she was sadly vexed that you had notgone to her in Arlington Street. For a woman will reason thus, " said hisLordship, winking wisely. "But I more than suspected something to havehappened, so I asked Horry to send his fellow Favre over to the Star andGarter to see if you were there, tho' I was of three minds to let you goto the devil. You should have seen her face when he came back to say thatyou had been for three weeks in a Castle Yard sponging-house! Then Horrysaid he would lend me his coach, and when it was brought around MissManners took our breaths by walking downstairs and into it, nor would shelisten to a word of the objections cried by my Lady Pembroke and therest. You must know there is no stopping the beauty when she has made hermind. And while they were all chattering on the steps I jumped in, andoff we drove, and you will be the most talked-of man in London to-morrow. I give you Miss Manners!" cried his Lordship, as he ended. 

We all stood to the toast, I with my blood a-tingle and my brain awhirl, so that I scarce knew what I did. 

CHAPTER XXVII

IN WHICH I AM SORE TEMPTED

"Who the devil is this John Paul, and what is to become of him?" askedComyn, as I escorted him downstairs to a chair. "You must give him twohundred pounds, or a thousand, if you like, and let him get out. Hecan't be coming to the clubs with you. "

And he pulled me into the coffee room after him. 

"You don't understand the man, Comyn, " said I; "he isn't that kind, I tell you. What he has done for me is out of friendship, as he says, and he wouldn't touch a farthing save what I owe him. "

"Cursed if he isn't a rum sea-captain, " he answered, shrugging hisshoulders; "cursed if I ever ran foul of one yet who would refuse acouple of hundred and call quits. What's he to do? Is he to live like aLord of the Treasury upon a master's savings?"

"Jack, " said I, soberly, resolved not to be angry, "I would willingly becast back in Castle Yard to-night rather than desert him, who might havedeserted me twenty times to his advantage. Mr. Carvel has not wealthenough, nor I gratitude enough, to reward him. But if our family canmake his fortune, it shall be made. And I am determined to go with himto America by the first packet I can secure. "

He clutched my arm with an earnestness to startle me. 

"You must not leave England now, " he said. 

"And why?"

"Because she will marry Chartersea if you do. And take my oath upon it, you alone can save her from that. "

"Nonsense!" I exclaimed, but my breath caught sharply. 

"Listen, Richard. Mr. Manners's manoeuvres are the talk of the town, andthe beast of a duke is forever wining and dining in Arlington Street. Atfirst people ridiculed, now they are giving credit. It is said, " hewhispered fearfully, "it is said that his Grace has got Mr. Manners inhis power, --some question of honour, you understand, which will ruinhim, --and that even now the duke is in a position to force the marriage. "

He leaned forward and searched me with his keen gray eyes, as tho'watching the effect of the intelligence upon me. I was, indeed, stunned. 

"Now, had she refused me fifty times instead of only twice, " my Lordcontinued, "I could not wish her such a fate as that vicious scoundrel. And since she will not have me, I would rather it were you than any manalive. For she loves you, Richard, as surely as the world is turning. "

"Oh, no!" I replied passionately; "you are deceived by the old liking shehas always had for me since we were children together. " I was deeplytouched by his friendship. "But tell me how that could affect thismarriage with Chartersea. I believe her pride capable of any sacrificefor the family honour. "

He made a gesture of impatience that knocked over a candlestick. 

"There, curse you, there you are again!" he said, "showing how little youknow of women and of their pride. If she were sure that you loved her, she would never marry Chartersea or any one else. She has had near thewhole of London at her feet, and toyed with it. Now she has been amusingherself with Charles Fox, but I vow she cares for none of them. Titles, fame, estates, will not move her. "

"If she were sure that I loved her!" I repeated, dazed by what he wassaying. "How you are talking, Comyn!"

"Just that. Ah, how I know her, Richard! She can be reckless beyondnotion. And if it were proved to her that you were in love with MissSwain, the barrister's daughter, over whom we were said to have fought, she would as soon marry Chartersea, or March, or the devil, to show youhow little she cared. "

"With Patty Swain!" I exclaimed. 

"But if she knew you did not care a rope's end for Patty, Mr. Marmadukeand his reputation might go into exile together, " he continued, withoutheeding. "So much for a woman's pride, I say. The day the news of yourdisappearance arrived, Richard, she was starting out with a party tovisit Lord Carlisle's seat, Castle Howard. Not a step would she stir, though Mr. Marmaduke whined and coaxed and threatened. And I swear toyou she has never been the same since, though few but I know why. Imight tell you more, my lad, were it not a breach of confidence. "

"Then don't, " I said; for I would not let my feelings run. 

"Egad, then, I will!" he cried impetuously, "for the end justifies it. You must know that after the letter came from Mr. Lloyd, we thought youdead. I could never get her to speak of you until a fortnight ago. Weboth had gone with a party to see Wanstead and dine at the Spread Eagleupon the Forest, and I stole her away from the company and led her outunder the trees. My God, Richard, how beautiful she was in the woodwith the red in her cheeks and the wind blowing her black hair! For thesecond time I begged her to be Lady Comyn. Fool that I was, I thoughtshe wavered, and my heart beat as it never will again. Then, as sheturned away, from her hand slipped a little gold-bound purse, and as Ipicked it up a clipping from a newspaper fluttered out. 'Pon my soul, it was that very scandalous squib of the Maryland Gazette about our duel!I handed it back with a bow. I dared not look up at her face, but stoodwith my eyes on the ground, waiting. 

"'Lord Comyn, ' says she, presently, with a quiver in her voice, 'before Igive you a reply you must first answer, on your word as a gentleman, whatI ask you. '

"I bowed again. 

"'Is it true that Richard Carvel was in love with Miss Swain?' sheasked. "

"And you said, Comyn, " I broke in, unable longer to contain myself, "yousaid--"

"I said: 'Dorothy, if I were to die to-morrow, I would swear RichardCarvel loved you, and you only. '"

His Lordship had spoken with that lightness which hides only the deepestemotion. 

"And she refused you?" I cried. "Oh, surely not for that!"

"And she did well, " said my Lord. 

I bowed my head on my arms, for I had gone through a great deal that day, and this final example of Comyn's generosity overwhelmed me. Then I felthis hand laid kindly on my shoulder, and I rose up and seized it. Hiseyes were dim, as were mine. 

"And now, will you go to Maryland and be a fool?" asked his Lordship. 

I hesitated, sadly torn between duty and inclination. John Paul could, indeed, go to America without me. Next the thought came over me in aflash that my grandfather might be ill, or even dead, and there would beno one to receive the captain. I knew he would never consent to spendthe season at the Star and Garter at my expense. And then the image ofthe man rose before me, of him who had given me all he owned, and gonewith me so cheerfully to prison, though he knew me not from the veriestadventurer and impostor. I was undecided no longer. 

"I must go, Jack, " I said sadly; "as God judges, I must. "

He looked at me queerly, as if I were beyond his comprehension, picked uphis hat, called out that he would see me in the morning, and was gone. 

I went slowly upstairs, threw off my clothes mechanically, and tumbledinto bed. The captain had long been asleep. By the exertion of all thewill power I could command, I was able gradually to think more and moresoberly, and the more I thought, the more absurd, impossible, it seemedthat I, a rough provincial not yet of age, should possess the heart of abeauty who had but to choose from the best of all England. An hundredtimes I went over the scene of poor Comyn's proposal, nay, saw itvividly, as though the whole of it had been acted before me: and as Ibecame calmer, the plainer I perceived that Dorothy, thinking me dead, was willing to let Comyn believe that she had loved me, and had so easedthe soreness of her refusal. Perhaps, in truth, a sentiment had sprungup in her breast when she heard of my disappearance, which she mistookfor love. But surely the impulse that sent her to Castle Yard was notthe same as that Comyn had depicted: it was merely the survival of thefancy of a little girl in a grass-stained frock, who had romped on thelawn at Carvel Hall. I sighed as I remembered the sun and the flowersand the blue Chesapeake, and recalled the very toss of her head when shehad said she would marry nothing less than a duke. 

Alas, Dolly, perchance it was to be nothing more than a duke! Thebloated face and beady eyes and the broad crooked back I had seen thatday in Arlington Street rose before me, --I should know his Grace ofChartersea again were I to meet him in purgatory. Was it, indeed, possible that I could prevent her marriage with this man? I fell asleep, repeating the query, as the dawn was sifting through the blinds. 

I awakened late. Banks was already there to dress me, to congratulate meas discreetly as a well-trained servant should; nor did he remind me ofthe fact that he had offered to lend me money, for which omission I likedhim the better. In the parlour I found the captain sipping his chocolateand reading his morning Chronicle, as though all his life he had donenothing else. 

"Good morning, captain. " And fetching him a lick on the back that nearlyupset his bowl, I cried as heartily as I could:

"Egad, if our luck holds, we'll be sailing before the week is out. "

But he looked troubled. He hemmed and hawed, and finally broke out intoScotch:

"Indeed, laddie, y'ell no be leaving Miss Dorothy for me. "

"What nonsense has Comyn put into your head?" I demanded, with a stitchin my side; I am no more to Miss Manners than--"

"Than John Paul! Faith, y'ell not make me believe that. Ah, Richard, "said he, "ye're a sly dog. You and I have been as thick these twa monthsas men can well live, and never a word out of you of the most sublimecreature that walks. I have seen women in many countries, lad, beautiesto set thoughts afire and swords a-play, --and 'tis not her beauty alone. She hath a spirit for a queen to covet, and air and carriage, too. "

This eloquent harangue left me purple. 

"I grant it all, captain. She has but to choose her title and estate. "

"Ay, and I have a notion which she'll be choosing. "

"The knowledge is worth a thousand pounds at the least, " I replied. "I will lend you the sum, and warrant no lack of takers. "

"Now the devil fly off with such temperament! And I had half theencouragement she has given you, I would cast anchor on the spot, andthey might hang and quarter me to move me. But I know you well, " heexclaimed, his manner changing, "you are making this great sacrifice onmy account. And I will not be a drag on your pleasures, Richard, orstand in the way of your prospects. "

"Captain Paul, " I said, sitting down beside him, "have I deserved thisfrom you? Have I shown a desire to desert you now that my fortunes havechanged? I have said that you shall taste of our cheer at Carvel Hall, and have looked forward this long while to the time when I shall take youto my grandfather and say: 'Mr. Carvel, this is he whose courage andcharity have restored you to me, and me to you. ' And he will havechanged mightily if you do not have the best in Maryland. Should youwish to continue on the sea, you shall have the Belle of the Wye, launched last year. 'Tis time Captain Elliott took to his pension. "

The captain sighed, and a gleam I did not understand came into his darkeyes. 

"I would that God had given me your character and your heart, Richard, "he said, "in place of this striving thing I have within me. But 'tiswritten that a leopard cannot change his spots. "

"The passage shall be booked this day, " I said. 

That morning was an eventful one. Comyn arrived first, dressed in a suitof mauve French cloth that set off his fine figure to great advantage. He regarded me keenly as he entered, as if to discover whether I hadchanged my mind over night. And I saw he was not in the best of tempers. 

"And when do you sail?" he cried. "I have no doubt you have sent outalready to get passage. "

"I have been trying to persuade Mr. Carvel to remain in London, my Lord, "said the captain. "I tell him he is leaving his best interests behindhim. "

"I fear that for once you have undertaken a task beyond your ability, Captain Paul, " was the rather tart reply. 

"The captain has a ridiculous idea that he is the cause of my going, " Isaid quickly. 

John Paul rose somewhat abruptly, seized his hat and bowed to hisLordship, and in the face of a rain sallied out, remarking that he hadas yet seen nothing of the city. 

"Jack, you must do me the favour not to talk of this in John Paul'spresence, " I said, when the door had closed. 

"If he doesn't suspect why you are going, he has more stupidity than Igave him credit for, " Comyn answered gruffly. 

"I fear he does suspect, " I said. 

His Lordship went to the table and began to write, leaving me to theChronicle, the pages of which I did not see. Then came Mr. Dix, andsuch a change I had never beheld in mortal man. In place of thewould-be squire I had encountered in Threadneedle Street, here was anunctuous person of business in sober gray; but he still wore thehypocritical smirk with no joy in it. His bow was now all respectfulobedience. Comyn acknowledged it with a curt nod. 

Mr. Dix began smoothly, where a man of more honesty would have found thegoing difficult. 

"Mr. Carvel, " he said, rubbing his hands, "I wish first to express myprofound regrets for what has happened. "

"Curse your regrets, " said Comyn, bluntly. "You come here on business. Mr. Carvel does not stand in need of regrets at present. "

"I was but on the safe side of Mr. Carvel's money, my Lord. "

"Ay, I'll warrant you are always on the safe side of money, " repliedComyn, with a laugh. "What I wish to know, Mr. Dix, " he continued, "iswhether you are willing to take my word that this is Mr. Richard Carvel, the grandson and heir of Lionel Carvel, Esquire, of Carvel Hall inMaryland?"

"I am your Lordship's most obedient servant, " said Mr. Dix. 

"Confound you, sir! Can you or can you not answer a simple question?"

Mr. Dix straightened. He may have spoken elsewhere of asserting hisdignity. 

"I would not presume to doubt your Lordship's word. "

"Then, if I were to be personally responsible for such sums as Mr. Carvelmay need, I suppose you would be willing to advance them to him. "

"Willingly, willingly, my Lord, " said Mr. Dix, and added immediately:"Your Lordship will not object to putting that in writing? Merely amatter of form, as your Lordship knows, but we men of affairs are held toa strict accountability. "

Comyn made a movement of disgust, took up a pen and wrote out theindorsement. 

"There, " he said. "You men of affairs will at least never die ofstarvation. "

Mr. Dix took the paper with a low bow, began to shower me withprotestations of his fidelity to my grandfather's interests, which wereone day to be my own, --he hoped, with me, not soon, --drew from his pocketmore than sufficient for my immediate wants, said that I should have moreby a trusty messenger, and was going on to clear himself of his formerneglect and indifference, when Banks announced:

"His honour, Mr. Manners!"

Comyn and I exchanged glances, and his Lordship gave a low whistle. Norwas the circumstance without its effect upon Mr. Dix. With my knowledgeof the character of Dorothy's father I might have foreseen this visit, which came, nevertheless, as a complete surprise. For a moment Ihesitated, and then made a motion to show him up. Comyn voiced mydecision. 

"Why let the little cur stand in the way?" he said; "he counts fornothing. "

Mr. Marmaduke was not long in ascending, and tripped into the room as Mr. Dix backed out of it, as gayly as tho' he had never sent me about mybusiness in the street. His clothes, of a cherry cut velvet, were as evera little beyond the fashion, and he carried something I had never beforeseen, then used by the extreme dandies in London, --an umbrella. 

"What! Richard Carvel! Is it possible?" he screamed in his pipingvoice. "We mourned you for dead, and here you turn up in London aliveand well, and bigger and stronger than ever. Oons! one need not go toScripture for miracles. I shall write my congratulations to Mr. Carvelthis day, sir. " And he pushed his fingers into my waistcoat, so thatComyn and I were near to laughing in his face. For it was impossible tobe angry with a little coxcomb of such pitiful intelligence. 

"Ah, good morning, my Lord. I see your Lordship has risen early in thesame good cause, I myself am up two hours before my time. You willpardon the fuss I am making over the lad, Comyn, but his grandfather ismy very dear friend, and Richard was brought up with my daughter Dorothy. They were like brother and sister. What, Richard, you will not take myhand! Surely you are not so unreasonable as to hold against me thatunfortunate circumstance in Arlington Street! Yes, Dorothy has shockedme. She has told me of it. "

Comyn winked at me as I replied:--

"We shan't mention it, Mr. Manners. I have had my three weeks in prison, and perhaps know the world all the better for them. "

He held up his umbrella in mock dismay, and stumbled abruptly into achair. There he sat looking at me, a whimsical uneasiness on his face. "We shall indeed mention it, sir. Three weeks in prison, to think of it!And you would not so much as send me a line. Ah, Richard, pride is agood thing, but I sometimes think we from Maryland have too much of it. We shall indeed speak of the matter. Out of justice to me you mustunderstand how it occurred. You must know that I am deucedlyabsentminded, and positively lost without my glass. And I had somebodywith me, so Dorothy said. Chartersea, I believe. And his Grace made methink you were a cursed beggar. I make a point never to have to do with'em. "

"You are right, Mr. Manners, " Comyn cut in dryly; "for I have known themto be so persistently troublesome, when once encouraged, as to interfereseriously with our arrangements. "

"Eh!" Mr. Manners ejaculated, and then came to an abrupt pause, while Iwondered whether the shot had told. To relieve him I inquired after Mrs. Manners's health. 

"Ah, to be sure, " he replied, beginning to fumble in his skirts; "Londonagrees with her remarkably, and she is better than she has been foryears. And she is overjoyed at your most wonderful escape, Richard, as are we all. "

And he gave me a note. I concealed my eagerness as I took it and brokethe seal, to discover that it was not from Dorothy, but from Mrs. Mannersherself. 

 "My dear Richard" (so it ran), "I thank God with your dear Grandfather over y'r Deliverance, & you must bring y'r Deliverer, whom Dorothy describes as Courtly and Gentlemanly despite his Calling, to dine with us this very Day, that we may express to him our Gratitude. I know you are far too Sensible not to come to Arlington Street. I subscribe myself, Richard, y'r sincere Friend, "MARGARET MANNERS. "

There was not so much as a postscript from Dolly, as I had hoped. Butthe letter was whole-souled, like Mrs. Manners, and breathed theaffection she had always had for me. I honoured her the more that shehad not attempted to excuse Mr. Manners's conduct. 

"You will come, Richard?" cried Mr. Marmaduke, with an attempt atheartiness. "You must come, and the captain, too. For I hear, withregret, that you are not to be long with us. "

I caught another significant look from Comyn from between the windowcurtains. But I accepted for myself, and conditionally for John Paul. Mr. Manners rose to take his leave. 

"Dorothy will be glad to see you, " he said. "I often think, Richard, that she tires of these generals and King's ministers, and longs for aromp at Wilmot House again. Alas, " he sighed, offering us a pinch ofsnuff (which he said was the famous Number 37), "alas, she has had a dealtoo much of attention, with his Grace of Chartersea and a dozen otherswould to marry her. I fear she will go soon, " and he sighed again. "Upon my soul I cannot make her out. I'll lay something handsome, myLord, that the madcap adventure with you after Richard sets the gossipsgoing. One day she is like a schoolgirl, and I blame myself for nottaking her mother's advice to send her to Mrs. Terry, at Campden House;and the next, egad, she is as difficult to approach as a crowned head. Well, gentlemen, I give you good day, I have an appointment at White's. I am happy to see you have fallen in good hands, Richard. My Lord, yourmost obedient!"

"He'll lay something handsome!" said my Lord, when the door had closedbehind him. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

ARLINGTON STREET

The sun having come out, and John Paul not returning by two, --beingogling, I supposed, the ladies in Hyde Park, --I left him a message andbetook myself with as great trepidation as ever to Dorothy's house. Thedoor was opened by the identical footman who had so insolently offeredme money, and I think he recognized me, for he backed away as he told methe ladies were not at home. But I had not gone a dozen paces in mydisappointment when I heard him running after me, asking if my honourwere Mr. Richard Carvel. 

"The ladies will see your honour, " he said, and conducted me back intothe house and up the wide stairs. I had heard that Arlington Street wasknown as the street of the King's ministers, and I surmised that Mr. Manners had rented this house, and its furniture, from some great man whohad gone out of office, plainly a person of means and taste. The hall, like that of many of the great town-houses, was in semi-darkness, but Iremarked that the stair railing was of costly iron-work and polishedbrass; and, as I went up, that the stone niches in the wall were filledwith the busts of statesmen, and I recognized among these, that of thegreat Walpole. A great copper gilt chandelier hung above. But thepicture of the drawing-room I was led into, with all its colours, remainsin the eye of my mind to this day. It was a large room, the like ofwhich I had never seen in any private residence of the New World, situated in the back of the house. Its balcony overlooked the freshexpanse of the Green Park. Upon its high ceiling floated Venus and thegraces, by Zucchi; and the mantel, upon which ticked an antique andcurious French clock, was carved marble. 

On the gilt panels of the walls were wreaths of red roses. At least ahalf-dozen tall mirrors, framed in rococos, were placed about, thelargest taking the space between the two high windows on the park side. And underneath it stood a gold cabinet, lacquered by Martin's inimitablehand, in the centre of which was set a medallion of porcelain, with thehead in dark blue of his Majesty, Charles the First. The chairs andlounges were marquetry, --satin-wood and mahogany, --with seats and backsof blue brocade. The floor was polished to the degree of danger, and onthe walls hung a portrait by Van Dycke, another, of a young girl, byRichardson, a landscape by the Dutch artist Ruysdael, and a water-colourby Zaccarelli. 

I had lived for four months the roughest of lives, and the room broughtbefore me so sharply the contrast between my estate and the grandeur andelegance in which Dorothy lived, that my spirits fell as I looked aboutme. In front of me was a vase of flowers, and beside them on the tablelay a note "To Miss Manners, in Arlington Street, " and sealed with aducal crest. I was unconsciously turning it over, when somethingimpelled me to look around. There, erect in the doorway, stood Dolly, her eyes so earnestly fixed upon me that I dropped the letter with astart. A faint colour mounted to her crown of black hair. 

"And so you have come, Richard, " she said. Her voice was low, and tho'there was no anger in it, the tone seemed that of reproach. I wonderedwhether she thought the less of me for coming. 

"Can you blame me for wishing to see you before I leave, Dolly?" Icried, and crossed quickly over to her. 

But she drew a step backward. 

"Then it is true that you are going, " said she, this time with a plainnote of coldness. 

"I must, Dorothy. "

"When?"

"As soon as I can get passage. "

She passed me and seated herself on the lounge, leaving me to stand likea lout before her, ashamed of my youth and of the clumsiness of my greatbody. 

"Ah, Richard, " she laughed, "confess to your old play mate! I shouldlike to know how many young men of wealth and family would give up thepleasures of a London season were there not a strong attraction inMaryland. "

How I longed to tell her that I would give ten years of my life to remainin England: that duty to John Paul took me home. But I was dumb. 

"We should make a macaroni of you to amaze our colony, " said Dolly, lightly, as I sat down a great distance away; "to accept my schoolingwere to double your chances when you return, Richard. You should havecards to everything, and my Lord Comyn or Mr. Fox or some one wouldintroduce you at the clubs. I vow you would be a sensation, with yourheight and figure. You should meet all the beauties of England, andperchance, " she added mischievously, "perchance you might be taking onehome with you. "

"Nay, Dolly, " I answered; "I am not your match in jesting. "

"Jesting!" she exclaimed, "I was never more sober. But where is yourcaptain?"

I said that I hoped that John Paul would be there shortly. 

"How fanciful he is! And his conversation, --one might think he hadacquired the art at Marly or in the Fauxbourg. In truth, he should havebeen born on the far side of the Channel. And he has the air of thegreat man, " said she, glancing up at ms, covertly. "For my part, Iprefer a little more bluntness. "

I was nettled at the speech. Dorothy had ever been quick to seize uponand ridicule the vulnerable oddities of a character, and she had all thecontempt of the great lady for those who tried to scale by pleasing arts. I perceived with regret that she had taken a prejudice. 

"There, Dorothy, " I cried, "not even you shall talk so of the captain. For you have seen him at his worst. There are not many, I warrant you, born like him a poor gardener's son who rise by character and ability tobe a captain at three and twenty. And he will be higher yet. He hasnever attended any but a parish school, and still has learning toastonish Mr. Walpole, learning which he got under vast difficulties. He is a gentleman, I say, far above many I have known, and he is a man. If you would know a master, you should see him on his own ship. If youwould know a gentleman, you have been with me in his mother's cottage. "And, warming as I talked, I told her of that saddest of all homecomingsto the little cabin under Criffel's height. 

Small wonder that I adored Dorothy!

Would that I could paint her moods, that I might describe the strangelight in her eyes when I had finished, that I might tell how in aninstant she was another woman. She rose impulsively and took a chair atmy side, and said:--

"'Tis so I love to hear you speak, Richard, when you uphold the absent. For I feel it is so you must champion me when I am far away. My dear oldplaymate is ever the same, strong to resent, and seeing ever the best inhis friends. Forgive me, Richard, I have been worse than silly. Andwill you tell me that story of your adventures which I long to learn?"

Ay, that I would. I told it her, and she listened silently, save onlynow and then a cry of wonder or of sympathy that sounded sweet to myears, --just as I had dreamed of her listening when I used to pace thedeck of the brigantine John, at sea. And when at length I had finished, she sat looking out over the Green Park, as tho' she had forgot mypresence. 

And so Mrs. Manners came in and found us. 

It had ever pleased me to imagine that Dorothy's mother had been in heryouth like Dorothy. She had the same tall figure, grace in its everymotion, and the same eyes of deep blue, and the generous but well-formedmouth. A man may pity, but cannot conceive the heroism that a woman ofsuch a mould must have gone through who has been married since earlygirlhood to a man like Mr. Manners. Some women would have been drivenquickly to frivolity, and worse, but this one had struggled year afteryear to maintain an outward serenity to a critical world, and hadsucceeded, tho' success had cost her dear. Each trial had deepened aline of that face, had done its share to subdue the voice which had oncerung like Dorothy's; and in the depths of her eyes lingered a sadnessindefinable. 

She gazed upon me with that kindness and tenderness I had always receivedsince the days when, younger and more beautiful than now, she was thecompanion of my mother. And the unbidden shadow of a thought came to methat these two sweet women had had some sadness in common. Many asummer's day I remembered them sewing together in the spring-house, talking in subdued voices which were hushed when I came running in. Andlo! the same memory was on Dorothy's mother then, half expressed as shelaid her hands upon my shoulders. 

"Poor Elizabeth!" she said, --not to me, nor yet to Dorothy; "I wish thatshe might have lived to see you now. It is Captain Jack again. "

She sighed, and kissed me. And I felt at last that I had come home aftermany wanderings. We sat down, mother and daughter on the sofa with theirfingers locked. She did not speak of Mr. Manners's conduct, or of mystay in the sponging-house. And for this I was thankful. 

"I have had a letter from Mr. Lloyd, Richard, " she said. 

"And my grandfather?" I faltered, a thickness in my throat. 

"My dear boy, " answered Mrs. Manners, gently, "he thinks you dead. Butyou have written him?" she added hurriedly. 

I nodded. "From Dumfries. "

"He will have the letter soon, " she said cheerfully. "I thank HeavenI am able to tell you that his health is remarkable under thecircumstances. But he will not quit the house, and sees no one exceptyour uncle, who is with him constantly. "

It was what I expected. But the confirmation of it brought me to my feetin a torrent of indignation, exclaiming:

"The villain! You tell me he will allow Mr. Carvel to see no one?"

She started forward, laying her hand on my arm, and Dorothy gave a littlecry. 

"What are you saying, Richard? What are you saying?"

"Mrs. Manners, " I answered, collecting myself, "I must tell you that Ibelieve it is Grafton Carvel himself that is responsible for myabduction. He meant that I should be murdered. "

Then Dorothy rose, her eyes flashing and her head high. 

"He would have murdered you--you, Richard?" she cried, in such a stormof anger as I had never seen her. "Oh, he should hang for the thoughtof it! I have always suspected Grafton Carvel capable of any crime!"

"Hush, Dorothy, " said her mother; "it is not seemly for a young girl totalk so. "

"Seemly!" said Dorothy. "If I were a man I would bring him to justice, and it took me a lifetime. Nay, if I were a man and could use a sword--"

"Dorothy! Dorothy!" interrupted Mrs. Manners. 

Dorothy sat down, the light lingering in her eyes. She had revealed moreof herself in that instant than in all her life before. 

"It is a grave charge, Richard, " said Mrs. Manners, at length. "And youruncle is a man of the best standing in Annapolis. "

"You must remember his behaviour before my mother's marriage, Mrs. Manners. "

"I do, I do, Richard, " she said sadly. "And I have never trusted himsince. I suppose you are not making your accusation without cause?"

"I have cause enough, " I answered bitterly. 

"And proof?" she added. She should have been the man in her family. 

I told her how Harvey had overheard the bits of the plot at Carvel Hallnear two years gone; and now that I had begun, I was going through withMr. Allen's part in the conspiracy, when Dorothy startled us both bycrying:

"Oh, there is so much wickedness in the world, I wish I had never beenborn!"

She flung herself from the room in a passion of tears to shock me. As if in answer to my troubled look, Mrs. Manners said, with a sigh:

"She has not been at all well, lately, Richard. I fear the gayety ofthis place is too much for her. Indeed, I am sorry we ever leftMaryland. "

I was greatly disturbed, and thought involuntarily of Comyn's words. Could it be that Mr. Manners was forcing her to marry Chartersea?

"And has Mr. Lloyd said nothing of my uncle?" I asked after a while. 

"I will not deny that ugly rumours are afloat, " she answered. "Grafton, as you know, is not liked in Annapolis, especially by the Patriot party. But there is not the slightest ground for suspicion. The messenger--"

"Yes?"

"Your uncle denies all knowledge of. He was taken to be the tool of thecaptain of the slaver, and he disappeared so completely that it wassupposed he had escaped to the ship. The story goes that you were seizedfor a ransom, and killed in the struggle. Your black ran all the way totown, crying the news to those he met on the Circle and in West Street, but by the mercy of God he was stopped by Mr. Swain and some othersbefore he had reached your grandfather. In ten minutes a score of menwere galloping out of the Town Gate, Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Singleton ahead. They found your horse dead, and the road through the woods all trampleddown, and they spurred after the tracks down to the water's edge. Singleton recalled a slaver, the crew of which had been brawling at theShip tavern a few nights before. But the storm was so thick they couldnot see the ship's length out into the river. They started two fastsloops from the town wharves in chase, and your uncle has been movingheaven and earth to obtain some clew of you. He has put notices in thenewspapers of Charlestown, Philadelphia, New York, and even Boston, andoffered a thousand pounds reward. "

CHAPTER XXIX

I MEET A VERY GREAT YOUNG MAN

The French clock had struck four, and I was beginning to fear that, despite my note, the captain's pride forbade his coming to Mr. Manners'shouse, when in he walked, as tho' 'twere no novelty to have his nameannounced. And so straight and handsome was he, his dark eye flashingwith the self-confidence born in the man, that the look of uneasiness Ihad detected upon Mrs. Manners's face quickly changed to one of surpriseand pleasure. Of course the good lady had anticipated a sea-captain ofa far different mould. He kissed her hand with a respectful grace, andthen her daughter's, for Dorothy had come back to us, calmer. And I wasfilled with joy over his fine appearance. Even Dorothy was struck by thechange the clothes had made in him. Mrs. Manners thanked him verytactfully for restoring me to them, as she was pleased to put it, towhich John Paul modestly replied that he had done no more than anotherwould under the same circumstances. And he soon had them both charmed byhis address. 

"Why, Richard, " said Dorothy's mother aside to me, "surely this cannot beyour sea-captain!"

I nodded merrily. But John Paul's greatest triumph was yet to come. Forpresently Mr. Marmaduke arrived from White's, and when he had greeted mewith effusion he levelled his glass at the corner of the room. 

"Ahem!" he exclaimed. "Pray, my dear, whom have you invited to-day?" Andwithout awaiting her reply, as was frequently his habit, he turned to meand said: "I had hoped we were to have the pleasure of Captain Paul'scompany, Richard. For I must have the chance before you go of claspingthe hand of your benefactor. "

"You shall have the chance, at least, sir, " I replied, a fiery exultationin my breast. "Mr. Manners, this is my friend, Captain Paul. "

The captain stood up and bowed gravely at the little gentleman's blanklyamazed countenance. 

"Ahem, " said he; "dear me, is it possible!" and advanced a step, but thecaptain remained immovable. Mr. Marmaduke fumbled for his snuff-box, failed to find it, halted, and began again, for he never was known tolack words for long: "Captain, as one of the oldest friends of Mr. LionelCarvel, I claim the right to thank you in his name for your gallantconduct. I hear that you are soon to see him, and to receive hisobligations from him in person. You will not find him lacking, sir, I'll warrant. "

Such was Mr. Marmaduke's feline ingenuity! I had a retort ready, andI saw that Mrs. Manners, long tried in such occasions, was about to pouroil on the waters. But it was Dorothy who exclaimed:

"What captain! are you, too, going to Maryland?"

John Paul reddened. 

"Ay, that he is, Dolly, " I cut in hurriedly. "Did you imagine I wouldlet him escape so easily? Henceforth as he has said, he is to be anAmerican. "

She flashed at me such a look as might have had a dozen differentmeanings, and in a trice it was gone again under her dark lashes. 

Dinner was got through I know not how. Mr. Manners led the talk, andspoke more than was needful concerning our approaching voyage. He was atgreat pains to recommend the Virginia packet, which had made the fastestpassage from the Capes; and she sailed, as was no doubt most convenient, the Saturday following. I should find her a comfortable vessel, and hewould oblige me with a letter to Captain Alsop. Did Captain Paul knowhim? But the captain was describing West Indian life to Mrs. Manners. Dorothy had little to say; and as for me, I was in no very pleasanthumour. 

I gave a deaf ear to Mr. Marmaduke's sallies, to speculate on the natureof the disgrace which Chartersea was said to hold over his head. Andtwenty times, as I looked upon Dolly's beauty, I ground my teeth at thenotion of returning home. I have ever been slow of suspicion, butsuddenly it struck me sharply that Mr. Manners's tactics must have adeeper significance than I had thought. Why was it that he feared mypresence in London?

As we made our way back to the drawing-room, I was hoping for a talk withDolly (alas! I should not have many more), when I heard a voice whichsounded strangely familiar. 

"You know, Comyn, " it was saying, "you know I should be at the Princess'swere I not so completely worn out. I was up near all of last night withRosette. "

Mr. Marmaduke, entering before us, cried:--

"The dear creature! I trust you have had medical attendance, Mr. Walpole. "

"Egad!" quoth Horry (for it was he), "I sent Favre to Hampstead to fetchDr. Pratt, where he was attending some mercer's wife. It seems thatRosette had got into the street and eaten something horrible out of thekennel. I discharged the footman, of course. "

"A plague on your dog, Horry, " said my Lord, yawning, and was about toadd something worse, when he caught sight of Dorothy. 

Mr. Walpole bowed over her hand. 

"And have you forgotten so soon your Windsor acquaintances, Mr. Walpole?"she asked, laughing. 

"Bless me, " said Horry, looking very hard at me, "so it is, so it is. Your hand, Mr. Carvel. You have only to remain in London, sir, todiscover that your reputation is ready-made. I contributed my mite. For you must know that I am a sort of circulating library of odd newswhich those devils, the printers, contrive to get sooner or later--Heavenknows how! And Miss Manners herself has completed your fame. Yes, thestory of your gallant rescue is in all the clubs to-day. Egad, sir, youcome down heads up, like a loaded coin. You will soon be a factor inChange Alley. " And glancing slyly at the blushing Dolly, he continued:

"I have been many things, Miss Manners, but never before an instrument ofProvidence. And so you discovered your rough diamond yesterday, and havepolished him in a day. O that Dr. Franklin had profited as well by ourLondon tailors! The rogue never told me, when he was ordering me aboutin his swan-skin, that he had a friend in Arlington Street, and areigning beauty. But I like him the better for it. "

"And I the worse, " said Dolly. 

"I perceive that he still retains his body-guard, " said Mr. Walpole;"Captain--"

"Paul, " said Dolly, seeing that we would not help him out. 

"Ah, yes. These young princes from the New World must have their suites. You must bring them both some day to my little castle at StrawberryHill. "

"Unfortunately, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Carvel finds that he must return toAmerica, " Mr. Marmaduke interjected. He had been waiting to get in thisword. 

Comyn nudged me. And I took the opportunity, in the awkward silence thatfollowed, to thank Mr. Walpole for sending his coach after us. 

"And pray where did you get your learning?" he demanded abruptly of thecaptain, in his most patronizing way. "Your talents are wasted at sea, sir. You should try your fortune in London, where you shall be under myprotection, sir. They shall not accuse me again of stifling younggenius. Stay, " he cried, warming with generous enthusiasm, "stay, I havean opening. 'Twas but yesterday Lady Cretherton told me that she stoodin need of a tutor for her youngest son, and you shall have theposition. "

"Pardon me, sir, but I shall not have the position, " said John Paul, coolly. And Horry might have heeded the danger signal. I had seen itmore than once on board the brigantine John, and knew what was coming. 

"Faith, and why not, sir? If I recommend you, why not, sir?"

"Because I shall not take it, " he said. "I have my profession, Mr. Walpole, and it is an honourable one. And I would not exchange it, sir, were it in your power to make me a Gibbon or a Hume, or tutor to hisRoyal Highness, which it is not. "

Thus, for the second time, the weapon of the renowned master ofStrawberry was knocked from his hand at a single stroke of his strangeadversary. I should like to describe John Paul as he made that speech, --for 'twas not so much the speech as the atmosphere of it. Those whoheard and saw were stirred with wonder, for Destiny lay bare thatinstant, just as the powers above are sometimes revealed at a singlelightning-bolt. Mr. Walpole made a reply that strove hard to beindifferent; Mr. Marmaduke stuttered, for he was frightened, as littlesouls are apt to be at such times. But my Lord Comyn, forever natural, forever generous, cried out heartily:--

"Egad, captain, there you are a true sailor! Which would you ratherhave been, I say, William Shakespeare or Sir Francis?"

"Which would you rather be, Richard, " said Dolly to me, under her breath, "Horace Walpole or Captain John Paul? I begin to like your captainbetter. "

Willy nilly, Mr. Walpole was forever doing me a service. Now, in orderto ignore the captain more completely, he sat him down to engage Mr. And Mrs. Manners. Comyn was soon hot in an argument with John Paulconcerning the seagoing qualities of a certain frigate, every rope andspar of which they seemed to know. And so I stole a few moments withDorothy. 

"You are going to take the captain to Maryland, Richard?" she asked, playing with her fan. 

"I intend to get him the Belle of the Tye. 'Tis the least I can do. For I am at my wits' end how to reward him, Dolly. And when are youcoming back?" I whispered earnestly, seeing her silent. 

"I would that I knew, Richard, " she replied, with a certain sadness thatwent to my heart, as tho' the choice lay beyond her. Then she changed. "Richard, there was more in Mr. Lloyd's letter than mamma told you of. There was ill news of one of your friends. "

"News!"

She looked at me fixedly, and then continued, her voice so low that I wasforced to bend over:

"Yes. You were not told that Patty Swain fell in a faint when she heardof your disappearance. You were not told that the girl was ill for aweek afterwards. Ah, Richard, I fear you are a sad flirt. Nay, you maybenefit by the doubt, --perchance you are going home to be married. "

You may be sure that this intelligence, from Dorothy's lips, onlyincreased my trouble and perplexity. 

"You say that Patty has been ill?"

"Very ill, " says she, with her lips tight closed. 

"Indeed, I grieve to hear of it, " I replied; "but I cannot think that myaccident had anything to do with the matter. "

"Young ladies do not send their fathers to coffee-houses to prevent duelsunless their feelings are engaged, " she flung back. 

"You have heard the story of that affair, Dorothy. At least enough of itto do me justice. "

She was plainly agitated. 

"Has Lord Comyn--"

"Lord Comyn has told you the truth, " I said; "so much I know. "

Alas for the exits and entrances of life! Here comes the footman. 

"Mr. Fox, " said he, rolling the name, for it was a great one. 

Confound Mr. Fox! He might have waited five short minutes. 

It was, in truth, none other than that precocious marvel of England whobut a year before had taken the breath from the House of Commons, and hadsent his fame flying over the Channel and across the wide Atlantic; thetalk of London, who set the fashions, cringed not before white hairs, orroyalty, or customs, or institutions, and was now, at one and twenty, Junior Lord of the Admiralty--Charles James Fox. His face was dark, forbidding, even harsh--until he smiled. His eyebrows were heavy andshaggy, and his features of a rounded, almost Jewish mould. He put mein mind of the Stuarts, and I was soon to learn that he was descendedfrom them. 

As he entered the room I recall remarking that he was possessed of thesupremest confidence of any man I had ever met. Mrs. Manners he greetedin one way, Mr. Marmaduke in another, and Mr. Walpole in still another. To Comyn it was "Hello, Jack, " as he walked by him. Each, as it were, had been tagged with a particular value. 

Chagrined as I was at the interruption, I was struck with admiration. For the smallest actions of these rare men of master passions so compelus. He came to Dorothy, whom he seemed not to have perceived at first, and there passed between them such a look of complete understanding thatI suddenly remembered Comyn's speech of the night before, "Now it isCharles Fox. " Here, indeed, was the man who might have won her. And yetI did not hate him. Nay, I loved him from the first time he addressedme. It was Dorothy who introduced us. 

"I think I have heard of you, Mr. Carvel, " he said, making a barelyperceptible wink at Comyn. 

"And I think I have heard of you, Mr. Fox, " I replied. 

"The deuce you have, Mr. Carvel!" said he, and laughed. And Comynlaughed, and Dorothy laughed, and I laughed. We were friends from thatmoment. 

"Richard has appeared amongst us like a comet, " put in the ubiquitous Mr. Manners, "and, I fear, intends to disappear in like manner. "

"And where is the tail of this comet?" demanded Fox, instantly; "for Iunderstood there was a tail. "

John Paul was brought up, and the Junior Lord of the Admiralty looked himover from head to toe. And what, my dears, do you think he said to him?

"Have you ever acted, Captain Paul?"

The captain started back in surprise. 

"Acted!" he exclaimed; "really, sir, I do not know. I have never beenupon the boards. "

Mr. Fox vowed that he could act: that he was sure of it, from thecaptain's appearance. 

"And I, too, am sure of it, Mr. Fox, " cried Dorothy; clapping her hands. "Persuade him to stay awhile in London, that you may have him at yournext theatricals at Holland House. Why, he knows Shakespeare and Popeand--and Chaucer by heart, and Ovid and Horace, --is it not so, Mr. Walpole?"

"Is not what so, my dear young lady?" asked Mr. Walpole, pretending notto have heard. 

"There!" exclaimed Dolly, pouting, when the laughter had subsided; "youmake believe to care something about me, and yet will not listen to whatI say. "

I had seen at her feet our own Maryland gallants, the longest of whosereputations stretched barely from the James to the Schuylkill; but herein London men were hanging on her words whose names were familiarlyspoken in Paris, and Rome, and Geneva. Not a topic was broached by Mr. Walpole or Mr. Fox, from the remonstrance of the Archbishop againstmasquerades and the coming marriage of my Lord Albemarle to the rightsand wrongs of Mr. Wilkes, but my lady had her say. Mrs. Manners seemedmore than content that she should play the hostess, which she did toperfection. She contrived to throw poisoned darts at the owner ofStrawberry that started little Mr. Marmaduke to fidgeting in his seat, and he came to the rescue with all the town-talk at his command. He knewlittle else. Could Mr. Walpole tell him of this club of both sexes juststarted at Almack's? Mr. Walpole could tell a deal, tho' he took thepains first to explain that he was becoming too old for such frivolousand fashionable society. He could not, for the life of him, say why hewas included. But, in spite of Mr. Walpole, John Paul was led out in thepaces that best suited him, and finally, to the undisguised delight ofMr. Fox, managed to trip Horry upon an obscure point in Athenianliterature. And this broke up the company. 

As we took our leave Dorothy and Mr. Fox were talking together withlowered voices. 

"I shall see you before I go, " I said to her. 

She laughed, and glanced at Mr. Fox. 

"You are not going, Richard Carvel, " said she. 

"That you are not, Richard Carvel, " said Mr. Fox. 

I smiled, rather lamely, I fear, and said good night. 

CHAPTER XXX

A CONSPIRACY

"Banks, where is the captain?" I asked, as I entered the parlour the nextmorning. 

"Gone, sir, since seven o'clock, " was the reply. "Gone!" I exclaimed;"gone where?"

"Faith, I did not ask his honour, sir. "

I thought it strange, but reflected that John Paul was given to whims. Having so little time before him, he had probably gone to see the sightshe had missed yesterday: the Pantheon, which was building, an account ofwhich had appeared in all the colonial papers; or the new BlackfriarsBridge; or the Tower; or perhaps to see his Majesty ride out. Thewonders of London might go hang, for all I cared. Who would gaze at theKing when he might look upon Dorothy! I sighed. I bade Banks dress mein the new suit Davenport had brought that morning, and then sent him offto seek the shipping agent of the Virginia packet to get us a cabin. Iwould go to Arlington Street as soon as propriety admitted. 

But I had scarce finished my chocolate and begun to smoke in a pleasantrevery, when I was startled by the arrival of two gentlemen. One wasComyn, and the other none less than Mr. Charles Fox. 

"Now where the devil has your captain flown to?" said my Lord, tossinghis whip on the table. 

"I believe he must be sight-seeing, " I said. "I dare swear he has takena hackney coach to the Tower. "

"To see the liberation of the idol of the people, I'll lay ten guineas. But they say the great Mr. Wilkes is to come out quietly, and wishes nodemonstration, " said Mr. Fox. "I believe the beggar has some sense, ifthe--Greek--would only let him have his way. So your captain is aWilkite, Mr. Carvel?" he demanded. 

"I fear you run very fast to conclusions, Mr. Fox, " I answered, laughing, tho' I thought his guess was not far from wrong. 

"I'll lay you the ten guineas he has been to the Tower, " said Mr. Fox, promptly. 

"Done, sir, " said I. 

"Hark ye, Richard, " said Comyn, stretching himself in an arm-chair; "weare come to take the wind out of your sails, and leave you without anexcuse for going home. And we want your captain, alive or dead. Charles, here, is to give him a commission in his Majesty's Navy. "

Then I knew why Dorothy had laughed when I had spoken of seeing heragain. Comyn--bless him!--had told her of his little scheme. 

"Egad, Charles!" cried his Lordship, "to look at his glum face, onemight think we were a couple of Jews who had cornered him. "

Alas for the perversity of the heart! Instead of leaping for joy, as no doubt they had both confidently expected, I was both troubled andperplexed by this unlooked-for news. Oak, when bent, is even harder tobend back again. And so it has ever been with me. I had determined, after a bitter struggle, to go to Maryland, and had now become used tothat prospect. I was anxious to see my grandfather, and to confrontGrafton Carvel with his villany. And there was John Paul. What wouldhe think?

"What ails you, Richard?" Comyn demanded somewhat testily. 

"Nothing, Jack, " I replied. "I thank you from my heart, and you, Mr. Fox. I know that commissions are not to be had for the asking, and Irejoice with the captain over his good fortune. But, gentlemen, " I saidsoberly, "I had most selfishly hoped that I might be able to do a serviceto John Paul in return for his charity to me. You offer him somethingnearer his deserts, something beyond my power to give him. "

Fox's eyes kindled. 

"You speak like a man, Mr. Carvel, " said he. "But you are too modest. Damn it, sir, don't you see that it is you, and no one else, who hasprocured this commission? Had I not been taken with you, sir, I shouldscarce have promised it to your friend Comyn, through whose interest youobtain it for your protege. "

I remembered what Mr. Fox's enemies said of him, and smiled at theplausible twist he had given the facts. 

"No, " I said; "no, Mr. Fox; never that. The captain must not think thatI wish to be rid of him. I will not stand in the way, though if it is tobe offered him, he must comprehend that I had naught to do with thematter. But, sir, " I continued curiously, "what do you know of JohnPaul's abilities as an officer?"

Mr. Fox and Comyn laughed so immoderately as to bring the blood to myface. 

"Damme!" cried the Junior Lord, "but you Americans have odd consciences!Do you suppose Rigby was appointed Paymaster of the Forces because of hisfitness? Why was North himself made Prime Minister? For his abilities?"And he broke down again. "Ask Jack, here, how he got into the service, and how much seamanship he knows. "

"Faith, " answered Jack, unblushingly, "Admiral Lord Comyn, my father, wished me to serve awhile. And so I have taken two cruises, deliveredsome score of commands, and scarce know a supple jack from a can of flip. Cursed if I see the fun of it in these piping times o' peace, so I havegiven it up, Richard. For Charles says this Falkland business with Spainwill blow out of the touch-hole. "

I could see little to laugh over. For the very rottenness of the servicewas due to the miserable and servile Ministry and Parliament of hisMajesty, by means of which instruments he was forcing the colonies to thewall. Verily, that was a time when the greatness of England hung in thebalance! How little I suspected that the young man then seated besideme, who had cast so unthinkingly his mighty powers on the side ofcorruption, was to be one of the chief instruments of her salvation!We were to fight George the Third across the seas. He was to wage noless courageous a battle at home, in the King's own capital. And thecause? Yes, the cause was to be the same as that of the Mr. Wilkes hereviled, who obtained his liberty that day. 

At length John Paul came in, calling my name. He broke off abruptly atsight of the visitors. 

"Now we shall decide, " said Mr. Fox. "Captain, I have bet Mr. Carvel tenguineas you have been to the Tower to see Squinting Jack (John Wilkes)get his liberty at last. "

The captain looked astonished. 

"Anan, then, you have lost, Richard, " said he. "For I have been justthere. "

"And helped, no doubt, to carry off the champion on your shoulders, " saidMr. Fox, sarcastically, as I paid the debt. 

"Mr. Wilkes knows full well the value of moderation, sir, " replied thecaptain, in the same tone. 

"Well, damn the odds!" exclaimed the Junior Lord, laughing. "You mayhave the magic number tattooed all over your back, for all I care. Youshall have the commission. "

"The commission?"

"Yes, " said Fox, carelessly; "I intend making you a lieutenant, sir, inthe Royal Navy. "

The moment the words were out I was a-tremble as to how he would take theoffer. For he had a certain puzzling pride, which flew hither andthither. But there was surely no comparison between the situations ofthe master of the Belle of the Wye and an officer in the Royal Navy. There, his talents would make him an admiral, and doubtless give him thesocial position he secretly coveted. He confounded us all by his answer. 

"I thank you, Mr. Fox. But I cannot accept your kindness. "

"Slife!" said Fox, "you refuse? And you know what you are doing?"

"I know usually, sir. "

Comyn swore. My exclamation had something of relief in it. 

"Captain, " I said, "I felt that I could not stand in the way of this. Ithas been my hope that you will come with me, and I have sent this morningafter a cabin on the Virginia. You must know that Mr. Fox's offer is hisown, and Lord Comyn's. "

"I know it well, Richard. I have not lived these three months with youfor nothing. " His voice seemed to fail him. He drew near me and took myhand. "But did you think I would require of you the sacrifice of leavingLondon now?"

"It is my pleasure as well as my duty, captain. "

"No, " he said, "I am not like that. Yesterday I went to the city to seea shipowner whose acquaintance I made when he was a master in the WestIndia trade. He has had some reason to know that I can handle a ship. Never mind what. And he has given me the bark 'Betsy', whose formermaster is lately dead of the small-pox. Richard, I sail to-morrow. "

In Dorothy's coach to Whitehall Stairs, by the grim old palace out ofwhose window Charles the Martyr had walked to his death. For Dorothy hadvowed it was her pleasure to see John Paul off, and who could stand inher way? Surely not Mr. Marmaduke! and Mrs. Manners laughinglyacquiesced. Our spirits were such that we might have been some honestmercer's apprentice and his sweetheart away for an outing. 

"If we should take a wherry, Richard, " said Dolly, "who would know of it?I have longed to be in a wherry ever since I came to London. "

The river was smiling as she tripped gayly down to the water, and thered-coated watermen were smiling, too, and nudging one another. Butlittle cared we! Dolly in holiday humour stopped for naught. "Boat, your honour! Boat, boat! To Rotherhithe--Redriff? Two and six apiece, sir. " For that intricate puzzle called human nature was solved out ofhand by the Thames watermen. Here was a young gentleman who never heardof the Lord Mayor's scale of charges. And what was a shilling to such ashe! Intricate puzzle, indeed! Any booby might have read upon the youngman's face that secret which is written for all, --high and low, rich andpoor alike. 

My new lace handkerchief was down upon the seat, lest Dolly soil herbright pink lutestring. She should have worn nothing else but the hue ofroses. How the bargemen stared, and the passengers craned their necks, and the longshoremen stopped their work as we shot past them! On heraccount a barrister on the Temple Stairs was near to letting fall his bagin the water. A lady in a wherry! Where were the whims of the qualityto lead them next? Past the tall water-tower and York Stairs, the idlersunder the straight row of trees leaning over the high river wall; pastAdelphi Terrace, where the great Garrick lived; past the white columns ofSomerset House, with its courts and fountains and alleys and architectureof all ages, and its river gate where many a gilded royal barge had lain, and many a fine ambassador had arrived in state over the great highway ofEngland; past the ancient trees in the Temple Gardens. And then underthe new Blackfriars Bridge to Southwark, dingy with its docks andbreweries and huddled houses, but forever famous, --the Southwark ofShakespeare and Jonson and Beaumont and Fletcher. And the shelf uponwhich they stood in the library at Carvel Hall was before my eyes. 

"Yes, " said Dolly; "and I recall your mother's name written in faded inkupon the fly-leaves. "

Ah, London Town, by what subtleties are you tied to the hearts of thoseborn across the sea? That is one of the mysteries of race. 

Under the pointed arches of old London Bridge, with its hooded sheltersfor the weary, to where the massive Tower had frowned for ages upon thefoolish river. And then the forest of ships, and the officious throng oflittle wherries and lighters that pressed around them, seeming to say, "You clumsy giants, how helpless would you be without us!" Soon our ownwherry was dodging among them, ships brought hither by the four winds ofthe seas; many discharging in the stream, some in the docks thenbeginning to be built, and hugging the huge warehouses. Hides fromfrozen Russia were piled high beside barrels of sugar and rum from themoist island cane-fields of the Indies, and pipes of wine from thesunny hillsides of France, and big boxes of tea bearing the hall-mark ofthe mysterious East. Dolly gazed in wonder. And I was commanded to showher a schooner like the Black Moll, and a brigantine like the John. 

"And Captain Paul told me you climbed the masts, Richard, and worked likea common seaman. Tell me, " says she, pointing at the royal yard of atall East Indiaman, "did you go as high as that when it was rough?"

And, hugely to the boatman's delight, the minx must needs put her fingerson the hard welts on my hands, and vow she would be a sailor and she werea man. But at length we came to a trim-built bark lying off RedriffStairs, with the words "Betsy, of London, " painted across her stern. Inno time at all, Captain Paul was down the gangway ladder and at thewater-side, too hand Dorothy out. 

"This honour overwhelms me, Miss Manners, " he said; "but I know whom tothank for it. " And he glanced slyly at me. 

Dorothy stepped aboard with the air of Queen Elizabeth come to inspectLord Howard's flagship. 

"Then you will thank me, " said she. "Why, I could eat my dinner off yourdeck, captain! Are all merchantmen so clean?"

John Paul smiled. 

"Not all, Miss Manners, " he said. 

"And you are still sailing at the ebb?" I asked. 

"In an hour, Richard, if the wind holds good. "

With what pride he showed us over his ship, the sailors gaping at thefine young lady. It had taken him just a day to institute his navydiscipline. And Dolly went about exclaiming, and asking an hundredquestions, and merrily catechising me upon the run of the ropes. All wasorder and readiness for dropping down the stream when he led us into hiscabin, where he had a bottle of wine and some refreshments laid outagainst my coming. 

"Had I presumed to anticipate your visit, Miss Manners, I should have hadsomething more suitable for a lady, " he said. "What, you will not eat, either, Richard?"

I could not, so downcast had I become at the thought of parting. I had sat up half the night before with him in restless argument andindecision, and even when he had left for Rotherhithe, early thatmorning, my mind had not been made. My conscience had insisted that Ishould sail with John Paul; that I might never see my deaf grandfather onearth again. I had gone to Arlington Street that morning resolved to sayfarewell to Dorothy. I will not recount the history of that defeat, mydears. Nay, to this day I know not how she accomplished the matter. Notonce had she asked me to remain, or referred to my going. Nor had Ispoken of it, weakling that I was. She had come down in the pinklutestring, smiling but pale; and traces of tears in her eyes, I thought. From that moment I knew that I was defeated. It was she herself who hadproposed going with me to see the Betsy sail. 

"I will drink some Madeira to wish you Godspeed, captain, " I said. 

"What is the matter with you, Richard?" Dolly cried; "you are as sour asmy Lord Sandwich after a bad Newmarket. Why, captain, " said she, "Ireally believe he wants to go, too. The swain pines for his provincialbeauty. "

Poor John Paul! He had not yet learned that good society is seldomliteral. 

"Upon my soul, Miss Manners, there you do him wrong, " he retorted, withludicrous heat; "you, above all, should know for whom he pines. "

"He has misled you by praising me. This Richard, despite his frankexterior, is most secretive. "

"There you have hit him, Miss Manners, " he declared; "there you have hithim! We were together night and day, on the sea and on the road, and, while I poured out my life to him, the rogue never once let fall a hintof the divine Miss Dorothy. 'Twas not till I got to London that I knewof her existence, and then only by a chance. You astonish me. You speakof a young lady in Maryland?"

Dorothy swept aside my protest. 

"Captain, " says she, gravely, "I leave you to judge. What is yourinference, when he fights a duel about a Miss with my Lord Comyn?"

"A duel!" cried the captain, astounded. 

"Miss Manners persists in her view of the affair, despite my word to thecontrary, " I put in rather coldly. 

"But a duel!" cried the captain again; "and with Lord Comyn! MissManners, I fondly thought I had discovered a constant man, but you makeme fear he has had as many flames as I. And yet, Richard, " he addedmeaningly, "I should think shame on my conduct and I had had such asubject for constancy as you. "

Dorothy's armour was pierced, and my ill-humour broken down, by thischaracteristic speech. We both laughed, greatly to his discomfiture. 

"You had best go home with him, Richard, " said Dolly. "I can find my wayback to Arlington Street alone. "

"Nay; gallantry forbids his going with me now, " answered John Paul; "andI have my sailing orders. But had I known of this, I should never havewasted my breath in persuading him to remain. "

"And did he stand in need of much persuasion, captain?" asked Dolly, archly. 

Time was pressing, and the owner came aboard, puffing, --a round-faced, vociferous, jolly merchant, who had no sooner got his breath than he lostit again upon catching sight of Dolly. 

While the captain was giving the mate his final orders, Mr. Orchardson, for such was his name, regaled us with a part of his life's history. Hehad been a master himself, and mangled and clipped King George's Englishas only a true master might. 

"I like your own captain better than ever, Richard, " whispered Dolly, while Mr. Orchardson relieved himself of his quid over the other side;"how commanding he is! Were I to take passage in the Betsy, I know Ishould be in love with him long before we got to Norfolk. "

I took it upon myself to tell Mr. Orchardson, briefly and clearly as Icould, the lamentable story of John Paul's last cruise. For I feared itmight sooner or later reach his ears from prejudiced mouths. And I endedby relating how the captain had refused a commission in the navy becausehe had promised to take the Betsy. This appeared vastly to impress him, and he forgot Dorothy's presence. 

"Passion o' my 'eart, Mr. Carvel, " cried he, excitedly, "John Paul's too big a man, an' too good a seaman, to go into the navywithout hinflooence. If flag horfocers I roots of is booted haside torankle like a lump o' salt butter in a gallipot, 'ow will a poor Scotchlieutenant win hadvancement an' he be not o' the King's friends? 'Wilkesan' Liberty, ' say I; 'forever, ' say I. An' w'en I see 'im goin' to theTower to be'old the Champion, 'Captain Paul, ' says I, 'yere a man arftermy hown 'eart. ' My heye, sir, didn't I see 'im, w'n a mere lad, take theJohn into Kingston 'arbour in the face o' the worst gale I hever seedblowed in the Caribbees? An' I says, 'Bill Horchardson, an' ye Never'ave ships o' yere own, w'ich I 'ope will be, y'ell know were to lookfor a marster. ' An' I tells 'im that same, Mr. Carvel. I means nodisrespect to the dead, sir, but an' John Paul 'ad discharged the Betsy, I'd not 'a' been out twenty barrels or more this day by Thames mudlarksan' scuffle hunters. 'Eave me flat, if 'e'll be two blocks wi' liquoran' dischargin' cargo. An' ye may rest heasy, Mr. Carvel, I'll not dowrong by 'im, neither. "

He told me that if I would honour him in Maid Lane, Southwark, I shouldhave as many pounds as I liked of the best tobacco ever cured in Cuba. And so he left me to see that the mate had signed all his lighter bills, shouting to the captain not to forget his cockets at Gravesend. Dollyand I stood silent while the men hove short, singing a jolly song to thestep. With a friendly wave the round figure of Mr. Orchardsondisappeared over the side, and I knew that the time had come to sayfarewell. I fumbled in my waistcoat for the repeater I had bought thatmorning over against Temple Bar, in Fleet Street, and I thrust it intoJohn Paul's hand as he came up. 

"Take this in remembrance of what you have suffered so unselfishly for mysake, Captain Paul, " I said, my voice breaking. "And whatever befallsyou, do not forget that Carvel Hall is your home as well as mine. "

He seemed as greatly affected as was I. Tears forced themselves to hiseyes as he held the watch, which he opened absently to read the simpleinscription I had put there. 

"Oh, Dickie lad!" he cried, "I'll be missing ye sair three hours hence, and thinking of ye for months to come in the night watches. Butsomething tells me I'll see ye again. "

And he took me in his arms, embracing me with such fervour that there wasno doubting the sincerity of his feelings. 

"Miss Dorothy, " said he, when he was calmer, "I give ye Richard for aleal and a true heart. Few men are born with the gift of keeping theaffections warm despite absence, and years, and interest. But have nofear of Richard Carvel. "

Dorothy stood a little apart, watching us, her eyes that faraway blue ofthe deepening skies at twilight. 

"Indeed, I have no fear of him, captain, " she said gently. Then, with aquick movement, impulsive and womanly, she unpinned a little gold broochat her throat, and gave it to him, saying: "In token of my gratitude forbringing him back to us. "

John Paul raised it to his lips. 

"I shall treasure it, Miss Manners, as a memento of the greatest joy ofmy life. And that has been, " gracefully taking her hand and mine, "thebringing you two together again. "

Dorothy grew scarlet as she curtseyed. As for me, I could speak never aword. He stepped over the side to hand her into the wherry, and embracedme once again. And as we rowed away he waved his hat in a last good-byfrom the taffrail. Then the Betsy floated down the Thames. 

CHAPTER XXXI

"UPSTAIRS INTO THE WORLD"

It will be difficult, my dears, without bulging this history out of allproportion, to give you a just notion of the society into which I fellafter John Paul left London. It was, above all, a gaming society. Fromthat prying and all-powerful God of Chance none, great or small, escaped. Guineas were staked and won upon frugal King George and his beef andbarley-water; Charles Fox and his debts; the intrigues of Choiseul andthe Du Barry and the sensational marriage of the Due d'Orleans withMadame de Montesson (for your macaroni knew his Paris as well as hisLondon); Lord March and his opera singer; and even the doings of Betty, the apple-woman of St. James's Street, and the beautiful barmaid ofNando's in whom my Lord Thurlow was said to be interested. All these, and much more not to be repeated, were duly set down in the betting-booksat White's and Brooks's. 

Then the luxury of the life was something to startle a provincial, eventho' he came, as did I, from one of the two most luxurious colonies ofthe thirteen. Annapolis might be said to be London on a small scale, --but on a very small scale. The historian of the future need look nofarther than our houses (if any remain), to be satisfied that we had morethan the necessities of existence. The Maryland aristocrat with his townplace and his country place was indeed a parallel of the patrician athome. He wore his English clothes, drove and rode his English horses, and his coaches were built in Long Acre. His heavy silver service camefrom Fleet Street, and his claret and Champagne and Lisbon and Madeirawere the best that could be bought or smuggled. His sons were ofteneducated at home, at Eton or Westminster and Oxford or Cambridge. Sowould I have been if circumstances had permitted. So was JamesFotheringay, the eldest of the family, and later the Dulany boys, andhalf a dozen others I might mention. And then our ladies! 'Tis butnecessary to cite my Aunt Caroline as an extreme dame of fashion, who hadher French hairdresser, Piton. 

As was my aunt to the Duchess of Kingston, so was Annapolis to London. To depict the life of Mayfair and of St. James's Street during a seasonabout the year of grace 1770 demands a mightier pen than wields thewriter of these simple memoirs. 

And who was responsible for all this luxury and laxity? Who but thegreat Mr. Pitt, then the Earl of Chatham, whose wise policy had madeBritain the ruler of the world, and rich beyond compare. From allcorners of the earth her wealth poured in upon her. Nabob and Caribbeecame from East and West to spend their money in the capital. Andfortunes near as great were acquired by the City merchants themselves. One by one these were admitted within that charmed circle, whose mottofor ages had been "No Trade, " to leaven it with their gold. And to keepthe pace, --nay, to set it, the nobility and landed gentry were sorepressed. As far back as good Queen Anne, and farther, their ancestorshad gamed and tippled away the acres; and now that John and William, whose forebears had been good tenants for centuries, were setting theirfaces to Liverpool and Birmingham and Leeds, their cottages were empty. So Lord and Squire went to London to recuperate, and to get their shareof the game running. St. James's Street and St. Stephen's became theirpreserves. My Lord wormed himself into a berth in the Treasury, robbedthe country systematically for a dozen of years, and sold the places andreversions under him to the highest bidder. Boroughs were to be hadsomewhat dearer than a pair of colours. And my Lord spent his sparetime--he had plenty of it--in fleecing the pigeons at White's andAlmack's. Here there was no honour, even amongst thieves. And younggentlemen were hurried through Eton and Oxford, where they learnedto drink and swear and to call a main as well as to play tennis andbilliards and to write Latin, and were thrust into Brooks's before theyknew the difference in value between a farthing and a banknote: atnineteen they were hardened rake, or accomplished men of the world, orboth. Dissipated noblemen of middle age like March and Sandwich, witsand beaus and fine gentlemen like Selwyn and Chesterfield and Walpole, were familiarly called by their first names by youngsters like Fox andCarlisle and Comyn. Difference of age was no difference. Young LordCarlisle was the intimate of Mr. Selwyn, born thirty years before him. 

And whilst I am speaking of intimacies, that short one which sprang upbetween me and the renowned Charles Fox has always seemed the mostunaccountable: not on my part, for I fell a victim to him at once. Penand paper, brush and canvas, are wholly inadequate to describe the charmof the man. When he desired to please, his conversation and theexpression of his face must have moved a temperament of stone itself. None ever had more devoted friends or more ardent admirers. They saw hisfaults, which he laid bare before them, but they settled his debts againand again, vast sums which he lost at Newmarket and at Brooks's. And notmany years after the time of which I now write Lord Carlisle was payingfifteen hundred a year on the sum he had loaned him, cheerfully denyinghimself the pleasures of London as a consequence. 

It was Mr. Fox who discovered for me my lodgings in Dover Street, vowingthat I could not be so out of fashion as to live at an inn. The briefhistory of these rooms, as given by him, was this: "A young cub had ownedthem, whose mamma had come up from Berkshire on Thursday, beat himsoundly on Friday, paid his debts on Saturday, and had taken him backon Sunday to hunt with Sir Henry the rest of his life. " Dorothy came oneday with her mother and swept through my apartments, commanded all thefurniture to be moved about, ordered me to get pictures for the walls, and by one fell decree abolished all the ornaments before the landlady, used as she was to the ways of quality, had time to gasp. 

"Why, Richard, " says my lady, "you will be wanting no end of prettythings to take back to Maryland when you go. You shall come with meto-morrow to Mr. Josiah Wedgwood's, to choose some of them. "

"Dorothy!" says her mother, reprovingly. 

"And he must have the Chippendale table I saw yesterday at theexhibition, and chairs to match. And every bachelor should have a punchbowl--Josiah has such a beauty!"

But I am running far ahead. Among the notes with which my table wasladen, Banks had found a scrawl. This I made out with difficulty toconvey that Mr. Fox was not attending Parliament that day. If Mr. Carvelwould do him the honour of calling at his lodging, over Mackie's ItalianWarehouse in Piccadilly, at four o'clock, he would take great pleasure inintroducing him at Brooks's Club. In those days 'twas far better for ayoung gentleman of any pretensions to remain at home than go to Londonand be denied that inner sanctuary, --the younger club at Almack's. Manythe rich brewer's son has embittered his life because it was not givenhim to see more than the front of the house from the far side of PallMall. But to be taken there by Charles Fox was an honour falling to few. I made sure that Dolly was at the bottom of it. 

Promptly at four I climbed the stairs and knocked at Mr. Fox's door. TheSwiss who opened it shook his head dubiously when I asked for his master, and said he had not been at home that day. 

"But I had an appointment to meet him, " I said, thinking it very strange. 

The man's expression changed. 

"An appointment, sir! Ah, sir, then you are to step in here. " And to myvast astonishment he admitted me into a small room at one side of theentrance. It was bare as poverty, and furnished with benches, andnothing more. On one of these was seated a person with an unmistakablenose and an odour of St. Giles's, who sprang to his feet and then satdown again dejectedly. I also sat down, wondering what it could mean, and debating whether to go or stay. 

"Exguse me, your honour, " said the person, "but haf you seen Mister Fox?"

I said that I, too, was waiting for him, whereat he cast at me a cunninglook beyond my comprehension. Surely, I thought, a man of Fox'sinherited wealth and position could not be living in such a place!Before the truth and humour of the situation had dawned upon me, I hearda ringing voice without, swearing in most forcible English, and the doorwas thrown open, admitting a tall young gentleman, as striking as I haveever seen. He paid not the smallest attention to the Jew, who was bowingand muttering behind me. 

"Mr. Richard Carvel?" said he, with a merry twinkle in his eye. 

I bowed. 

"Gad's life, Mr. Carvel, I'm deuced sorry this should have happened. Will you come with me?"

"Exguse me, your honour!" cried the other visitor. 

"Now, what the plague, Aaron!" says he; "you wear out the stairs. Cometo-morrow, or the day after. "

"Ay, 'tis always 'to-morrow' with you fine gentlemen. But I vill bringthe bailiffs, so help me--"

"Damn 'em!" says the tall young gentleman, as he slammed the door and soshut off the wail. "Damn 'em, they worry Charles to death. If he wouldonly stick to quinze and picquet, and keep clear of the hounds*, he neednever go near a broker. "

 [*"The "hounds, " it appears, were the gentlemen of sharp practices at White's and Almack's. --D. C. C. ]

"Do you have Jews in America, Mr. Carvel?" Without waiting for an answer, he led me through a parlour, hung with pictures, and bewilderinglyfurnished with French and Italian things, and Japan and China ware andbronzes, and cups and trophies. "My name is Fitzpatrick, Mr. Carvel, --yours to command, and Charles's. I am his ally for offence and defence. We went to school together, " he explained simply. 

His manner was so free, and yet so dignified, as to charm me completely. For I heartily despised all that fustian trumpery of the age. Then camea voice from beyond, calling:--

"That you, Carvel? Damn that fellow Eiffel, and did he thrust you intothe Jerusalem Chamber?"

"The Jerusalem Chamber!" I exclaimed. 

"Where I keep my Israelites, " said he; "but, by Gad's life! I think theyare one and all descended from Job, and not father Abraham at all. Hemust have thought me cursed ascetic, eh, Fitz? Did you find the bencheshard? I had 'em made hard as the devil. But if they were of stone, Ivow the flock could find their own straw to sit on. "

"Curse it, Charles, " cut in Mr. Fitzpatrick, in some temper, "can't you beserious for once! He would behave this way, Mr. Carvel, if he were beingshriven by the Newgate ordinary before a last carting to Tyburn. Charles, Charles, it was Aaron again, and the dog is like to snap atlast. He is talking of bailiffs. Take my advice and settle with him. Hold Cavendish off another fortnight and settle with him. "

Mr. Fox's reply was partly a laugh, and the rest of it is not to beprinted. He did not seem in the least to mind this wholesale disclosureof his somewhat awkward affairs. And he continued to dress, or to bedressed, alternately swearing at his valet and talking to Fitzpatrick andto me. 

"You are both of a name, " said he. "Let a man but be called Richard, andI seem to take to him. I' faith, I like the hunchback king, and believeour friend Horry Walpole is right in defending him, despite Davie Hume. I vow I shall like you, Mr. Carvel. "

I replied that I certainly hoped so. 

"Egad, you come well enough recommended, " he said, pulling on hisbreeches. "No, Eiffel, cursed if I go en petit maitre to-day. How doesthat strike you for a demi saison, Mr. Buckskin? I wore three of 'emthrough the customs last year, and March's worked olive nightgown tuckedunder my greatcoat, and near a dozen pairs of shirts and stockings. Andeach of my servants had on near as much. O Lud, we were amazing-likebeef-eaters or blower pigeons. Sorry you won't meet my brother, --he thatwill have the title. He's out of town. "

Going on in this discursory haphazard way while he dressed, he made mefeel much at home. For the young dictator--so Mr. Fitzpatrick informedme afterward--either took to you or else he did not, and stood upon noceremony. After he had chosen a coat with a small pattern and his feethad been thrust into the little red shoes with the high heels, importedby him from France, he sent for a hackney-chaise. And the three of usdrove together to Pall Mall. Mr. Brooks was at the door, and bowed fromhis hips as we entered. 

"A dozen vin de Graves, Brooks!" cries Mr. Fox, and ushers me into adining room, with high curtained windows and painted ceiling, andchandeliers throwing a glitter of light. There, at a long table, surrounded by powdered lackeys, sat a bevy of wits, mostly in blue andsilver, with point ruffles, to match Mr. Fox's costume. They greeted mycompanions uproariously. It was "Here's Charles at last!" "Howdy, Charles!" "Hello, Richard!" and "What have you there? a new Caribbee?"They made way for Mr. Fox at the head of the table, and he took the seatas though it were his right. 

"This is Mr. Richard Carvel, gentlemen, of Carvel Hall, in Maryland. "

They stirred with interest when my name was called, and most of themturned in their chairs to look at me. I knew well the reason, and feltmy face grow hot. Although you may read much of the courtesy of thatage, there was a deal of brutal frankness among young men of fashion. 

"Egad, Charles, is this he the Beauty rescued from Castle Yard?"

A familiar voice relieved my embarrassment. 

"Give the devil his due, Bully. You forget that I had a hand in that. "

"Faith, Jack Comyn, " retorted the gentleman addressed, "you're alreadyfamous for clinging to her skirt. "

"But cling to mine, Bully, and we'll all enter the temple together. ButI bid you welcome, Richard, " said his Lordship; "you come with two of themost delightful vagabonds in the world. "

Mr. Fox introduced me in succession to Colonel St. John, known in St. James's Street as the Baptist; to my Lord Bolingbroke, Colonel St. John'sbrother, who was more familiarly called Bully; to Mr. Fitzpatrick'sbrother, the Earl of Upper Ossory, who had come up to London, so he said, to see a little Italian dance at the Garden; to Gilly Williams; to SirCharles Bunbury, who had married Lady Sarah Lennox, Fox's cousin, thebeauty who had come so near to being queen of all England; to Mr. Storer, who was at once a Caribbee and a Crichton; to Mr. Uvedale Price. These Iremember, but there are more that escape me. Most good-naturedly theydrank my health in Charles's vin de grave, at four shillings the bottle;and soon I was astonished to find myself launched upon the story of myadventures, which they had besought me to tell them. When I had done, they pledged me again, and, beginning to feel at home, I pledged themhandsomely in return. Then the conversation began. The like of it Ihave never heard anywhere else in the world. There was a deal that mightnot be written here, and a deal more that might, to make these pagessparkle. They went through the meetings, of course, and thrashed overthe list of horses entered at Ipswich, and York, and Newmarket, and howmany were thought to be pulled. Then followed the recent gains andlosses of each and every individual of the company. After that there wasa roar of merriment over Mr. Storer cracking mottoes with a certain LadyJane; and how young Lord Stavordale, on a wager, tilted the candles andset fire to the drawing-room at Lady Julia's drum, the day before. Mr. Price told of the rage Topham Beauclerk had got Dr. Johnson into, bysetting down a mark for each oyster the sage had eaten, and showing himthe count. But Mr. Fox, who was the soul of the club, had the best arrayof any. He related how he had gone post from Paris to Lyons, to order, among other things, an embroidered canary waistcoat for George Selwynfrom Jabot. "' Et quel dessin, monsieur?' 'Beetles and frogs, ingreen. ' 'Escargots! grenouilles!' he cries, with a shriek; 'Et pourMonsieur Selwyn! Monsieur Fox badine!' It came yesterday, by Crawford, and I sent it to Chesterfield Street in time for George to wear to theDuchess's. He has been twice to Piccadilly after me, and twice here, andswears he will have my heart. And I believe he is now gone to Matson ina funk. "

After that they fell upon politics. I knew that Mr. Fox was already nearthe head of the King's party, and that he had just received a substantialreward at his Majesty's hands; and I went not far to guess that every oneof these easy-going, devil-may-care macaronies was a follower orsympathizer with Lord North's policy. But what I heard was a revelationindeed. I have dignified it by calling it politics. All was franknesshere amongst friends. There was no attempt made to gloss over uglytransactions with a veneer of morality. For this much I honoured them. But irresistibly there came into my mind the grand and simple charactersof our own public men in America, and it made me shudder to think that, while they strove honestly for our rights, this was the type whichopposed them. Motives of personal spite and of personal gain were laidbare, and even the barter and sale of offices of trust took place beforemy very eyes. I was silent, though my tongue burned me, until one of thegentlemen, thinking me neglected, said:

"What a-deuce is to be done with those unruly countrymen of yours, Mr. Carvel? Are they likely to be pacified now that we have taken off allexcept the tea? You who are of our party must lead a sorry life amongthem. Tell me, do they really mean to go as far as rebellion?"

The blood rushed to my face. 

"It is not a question of tea, sir, " I answered hotly; "nor yet oftuppence. It is a question of principle, which means more to Englishmenthan life itself. And we are Englishmen. "

I believe I spoke louder than I intended, for a silence followed mywords. Fox glanced at Comyn, who of all of them at the table was notsmiling, and said:

"I thought you came of a loyalist family, Mr. Carvel. "

"King George has no more loyal servants than the Americans, Mr. Fox, bethey Tory or Whig. And he has but to read our petitions to discover it, "I said. 

I spoke calmly, but my heart was thumping with excitement and resentment. The apprehension of the untried is apt to be sharp at such moments, and I looked for them to turn their backs upon me for an impertinentprovincial. Indeed, I think they would have, all save Comyn, had it notbeen for Fox himself. He lighted a pipe, smiled, and began easily, quitedispassionately, to address me. 

"I wish you would favour us with your point of view, Mr. Carvel, " saidhe; "for, upon my soul, I know little about the subject. "

"You know little about the subject, and you in Parliament!"

I cried. 

This started them all to laughing. Why, I did not then understand. ButI was angry enough. 

"Come, let's have it!" said he. 

They drew their chairs closer, some wearing that smile of superioritywhich to us is the Englishman's most maddening trait. I did not stop tothink twice, or to remember that I was pitted against the greatestdebater in all England. I was to speak that of which I was full, and theheart's argument needs no logic to defend it. If it were my last word, I would pronounce it. 

I began by telling them that the Americans had paid their share of theFrench war, in blood and money, twice over. And I had the figures in mymemory. Mr. Fox interrupted. For ten minutes at a space he spoke, andin all my life I have never talked to a man who had the English of KingJames's Bible, of Shakespeare, and Milton so wholly at his command. Andhis knowledge of history, his classical citations, confounded me. Iforgot myself in wondering how one who had lived so fast had acquiredsuch learning. Afterward, when I tried to recall what he said, I laughedat his surprising ignorance of the question at issue, and wondered wheremy wits could have gone that I allowed myself to be dazzled and turnedaside at every corner. As his speech came faster he twisted fact intofiction and fiction into fact, until I must needs close my mind and boltthe shutters of it, or he had betrayed me into confessing the right ofParliament to quarter troops among us. Though my head swam, I clungdoggedly to my text. And that was my salvation. He grew more excited, and they applauded him. In truth, I myself felt near to clapping. Andthen, as I stared him in the eye, marvelling how a man of such vast powerand ability could stand for such rotten practices, the thought came to me(I know not whence) of Saint Paul the Apostle. 

"Mr. Fox, " I said, when he had paused, "before God, do you believe whatyou are saying?"

I saw them smiling at my earnestness and simplicity. Fox seemedsurprised, and laughed evasively, --not heartily as was his wont. 

"My dear Mr. Carvel, " he said, glancing around the circle, politicalprinciples are not to be swallowed like religion, but taken rather likemedicine, experimentally. If they agree with you, very good. If not, drop them and try others. We are always ready to listen to remedies, here. "

"Ay, if they agree with you!" I exclaimed. "But food for one is poisonfor another. Do you know what you are doing? You are pushing homeinjustice and tyranny to the millions, for the benefit of the thousands. For is it not true, gentlemen, that the great masses of England areagainst the measures you impose upon us? Their fight is our fight. Theyare no longer represented in Parliament; we have never been. Taxationwithout representation is true of your rotten boroughs as well as of yourvast colonies. You are helping the King to crush freedom abroad in orderthat he may the more easily break it at home. You are committing acrime. 

"I tell you we would give up all we own were the glory or honour ofEngland at stake. And yet you call us rebels, and accuse us of meannessand of parsimony. If you wish money, leave the matter to our colonialassemblies, and see how readily you will get it. But if you wish war, persist in trying to grind the spirit from a people who have in them thepride of your own ancestors. Yes, you are estranging the colonies, gentlemen. A greater man than I has warned you"

And with that I rose, believing that I had given them all mortal offence. To my astonishment several got to their feet in front of me, huzzaing, and Comyn and Lord Ossory grasped my hands. And Charles Fox reached outover the corner of the table and pulled me back into my chair. 

"Bravo, Richard Carvel!" he cried. "Cursed if I don't love a man whowill put up a fight against odds. Who will stand bluff to what hebelieves, and won't be talked out of his boots. We won't quarrel withany such here, my buckskin, I can tell you. "

And that is the simple story, my dears, of the beginning of my friendshipwith one who may rightly be called the Saint Paul of English politics. He had yet some distance to go, alas, ere he was to begin that sturdybattle for the right for which his countrymen and ours will always blesshim. I gave him my hand with a better will than I had ever doneanything, and we pressed our fingers numb. And his was not the only handI clasped. And honest Jack Comyn ordered more wine, that they mightdrink to a speedy reconciliation with America. 

"A pint bumper to Richard Carvel!" said Mr. Fitzpatrick. 

I pledged Brooks's Club in another pint. Upon which they swore that Iwas a good fellow, and that if all American Whigs were like me, all causeof quarrel was at an end. Of this I was not so sure, nor could I seethat the question had been settled one way or another. And that night Ihad reason to thank the Reverend Mr. Allen, for the first and last timein my life, that I could stand a deal of liquor, and yet not roll bottomupward. 

The dinner was settled on the Baptist, who paid for it without a murmur. And then we adjourned to the business of the evening. The greatdrawing-room, lighted by an hundred candles, was filled with gaylydressed macaronies, and the sound of their laughter and voices incontention mingled with the pounding of the packs on the mahogany and therattle of the dice and the ring of the gold pieces. The sight wasdazzling, and the noise distracting. Fox had me under his especial care, and I was presented to young gentlemen who bore names that had been theboast of England through the centuries. Lands their forebears had won bylance and sword, they were squandering away as fast as ever they could. I, too, was known. All had heard the romance of the Beauty and CastleYard, and some had listened to Horry Walpole tell that foolish story ofGoble at Windsor, on which he seemed to set such store. They guessed atmy weight. They betted upon it. And they wished to know if I could spinMr. Brooks, who was scraping his way from table to table. They gave mechoice of whist, or picquet, or quinze, or hazard. I was carried away. Nay, I make no excuse. Tho' the times were drinking and gaming ones, Ihad been brought up that a gentleman should do both in moderation. Wemounted, some dozen of us, to the floor above, and passed along to a roomof which Fox had the key; and he swung me in on his arm, the otherspressing after. And the door was scarce closed and locked again, beforethey began stripping off their clothes. 

To my astonishment, Fox handed me a great frieze coat, which he bade medon, as the others were doing. Some were turning their coats inside out;for luck, said they; and putting on footman's leather guards to savetheir ruffles. And they gave me a hat with a high crown, and a broadbrim to save my eyes from the candle glare. We were as grotesque a setas ever I laid my eyes upon. But I hasten over the scene; which has longbecome distasteful to me. I mention it only to show to what heights offolly the young men had gone. I recall a gasp when they told me theyplayed for rouleaux of ten pounds each, but I took out my pocket-book asboldly as tho' I had never played for less, and laid my stake upon theboard. Fox lost, again and again; but he treated his ill-luck with sucha raillery of contemptuous wit, that we must needs laugh with him. Comyn, too, lost, and at supper excused himself, saying that he hadpromised his mother, the dowager countess, not to lose more than aquarter's income at a sitting. But I won and won, until the fever ofit got into my blood, and as the first faint light of that morning creptinto the empty streets, we were still at it, Fox vowing that he neverwaked up until daylight. That the best things he said in the House cameto him at dawn. 

CHAPTER XXXII

LADY TANKERVILLE'S DRUM-MAJOR

The rising sun, as he came through the little panes of the windows, etched a picture of that room into my brain. I can see the twistedcandles with their wax smearing the sticks, the chairs awry, the tableslittered with blackened pipes, and bottles, and spilled wine and tobaccoamong the dice; and the few that were left of my companions, some withdark lines under their eyes, all pale, but all gay, unconcerned, witty, and cynical; smoothing their ruffles, and brushing the ashes and snufffrom the pattern of their waistcoats. As we went downstairs, singing asong Mr. Foote had put upon the stage that week, they were good enough todeclare that I should never be permitted to go back to Maryland. That mygrandfather should buy me a certain borough, which might be had for sixthousand pounds. 

The drawing-room made a dismal scene, too, after the riot and disorder ofthe night. Sleepy servants were cleaning up, but Fox vowed that theyshould bring us yet another bottle before going home. So down we satabout the famous old round table, Fox fingering the dents the gold hadmade in the board, and philosophizing; and reciting Orlando Furioso inthe Italian, and Herodotus in the original Greek. Suddenly casting hiseyes about, they fell upon an ungainly form stretched on a lounge, thatmade us all start. 

"Bully!" he cried; "I'll lay you fifty guineas that Mr. Carvel gets theBeauty, against Chartersea. "

This roused me. 

"Nay, Mr. Fox, I beg of you, " I protested, with all the vehemence I couldmuster. "Miss Manners must not be writ down in such a way. "

For answer he snapped his fingers at the drowsy Brooks, who brought thebetting book. 

"There!" says he; "and there, and there, " turning over the pages; "hername adorns a dozen leaves, my fine buckskin. And it will be well tohave some truth about her. Enter the wager, Brooks. "

"Hold!" shouts Bolingbroke; "I haven't accepted. "

You may be sure I was in an agony over this desecration, which I was sopowerless to prevent. But as I was thanking my stars that the matter hadblown over with Bolingbroke's rejection, there occurred a most singularthing. 

The figure on the lounge, with vast difficulty, sat up. To our amazementwe beheld the bloated face of the Duke of Chartersea staring stupidly. 

"Damme, Bully, you refushe bet like tha'!" he said. "I'll take doshen of'em-doshen, egad. Gimme the book, Brooksh. Cursh Fox--lay thousand d--dprovinshial never getsh 'er--I know--"

I sat very still, seized with a loathing beyond my power to describe tothick that this was the man Mr. Manners was forcing her to marry. Foxlaughed. 

"Help his Grace to his coach, " he said to two of the footmen. 

"Kill fellow firsht!" cried his Grace, with his hand on his sword, andinstantly fell over, and went sound asleep. 

"His Grace has sent his coach home, your honour, " said one of the men, respectfully. "The duke is very quarrelsome, sir. "

"Put him in a chair, then, " said Charles. 

So they fearfully lifted his Grace, who was too far gone to resist, andcarried him to a chair. And Mr. Fox bribed the chairmen with two guineasapiece, which he borrowed from me, to set his Grace down amongst themarketwomen at Covent Garden. 

The next morning Banks found in my pockets something over seven hundredpounds more than I had had the day before. 

I rose late, my head swimming with mains and nicks, and combinations ofall the numbers under the dozen; debated whether or no I would go toArlington Street, and decided that I had not the courage. Comyn settledit by coming in his cabriolet, proposed that we should get the air in thepark, dine at the Cocoa Tree, and go afterwards to Lady Tankerville'sdrum-major, where Dolly would undoubtedly be. 

"Now you are here, Richard, " said his Lordship, with his accustomedbluntness, "and your sea-captain has relieved your Quixotic conscience, what the deuce do you intend to do?

"Win a thousand pounds every night at Brooks's, or improve your time anddo your duty, and get Miss Manners out of his Grace's clutches? I'llwarrant something will come of that matter this morning. "

"I hope so, " I said shortly. 

Comyn looked at me sharply. 

"Would you fight him?" he asked. 

"If he gave me the chance. "

His Lordship whistled. "Egad, then, " said he, "I shall want to be thereto see. In spite of his pudding-bag shape he handles the sword as wellas any man in England. I have crossed with him at Angelo's. And he hasa devilish tricky record, Richard. "

I said nothing to that. 

"Hope you do--kill him, " Comyn continued. "He deserves it richly. Butthat will be a cursed unpleasant way of settling the business, --unpleasant for you, unpleasant for her, and cursed unpleasant for him, too, I suppose. Can't you think of any other way of getting her? AskCharles to give you a plan of campaign. You haven't any sense, andneither have I. "

"Hang you, Jack, I have no hopes of getting her, " I replied, for I wasout of humour with myself that day. "In spite of what you say, I knowshe doesn't care a brass farthing to marry me. So let's drop that. "

Comyn made a comic gesture of deprecation. I went on: "But I am going tostay here and find out the truth, though it may be a foolish undertaking. And if he is intimidating Mr. Manners--"

"You may count on me, and on Charles, " said my Lord, generously; "andthere are some others I know of. Gad! You made a dozen of friends andadmirers by what you said last night, Richard. And his Grace has a fewenemies. You will not lack support. "

We dined very comfortably at the Cocoa Tree, where Comyn had made anappointment for me with two as diverting gentlemen as had ever been mylot to meet. My Lord Carlisle was the poet and scholar of the littleclique which had been to Eton with Charles Fox, any member of which (so'twas said) would have died for him. His Lordship, be it remarked inpassing, was as lively a poet and scholar as can well be imagined. Hehad been recently sobered, so Comyn confided; which I afterwardsdiscovered meant married. Charles Fox's word for the same was fallen. And I remembered that Jack had told me it was to visit Lady Carlisle atCastle Howard that Dorothy was going when she heard of my disappearance. Comyn's other guest was Mr. Topham Beauclerk, the macaroni friend ofDr. Johnson. He, too, had been recently married, but appeared no moresobered than his Lordship. Mr. Beauclerk's wife, by the way, was thebeautiful Lady Diana Spencer, who had been divorced from LordBolingbroke, the Bully I had met the night before. These gentlemenseemed both well acquainted with Miss Manners, and vowed that none butAmerican beauties would ever be the fashion in London more. Then we alldrove to Lady Tankerville's drum-major near Chesterfield House. 

"You will be wanting a word with her when she comes in, " said Comyn, slyly divining. Poor fellow! I fear that I scarcely appreciated hisfeelings as to Dorothy, or the noble unselfishness of his friendship forme. 

We sat aside in a recess of the lower hall, watching the throng as theypassed: haughty dowagers, distorted in lead and disfigured in silk andfeathers nodding at the ceiling; accomplished beaus of threescore ormore, carefully mended for the night by their Frenchmen at home; youngladies in gay brocades with round skirts and stiff, pear-shaped bodices;and youngsters just learning to ogle and to handle their snuff-boxes. One by one their names were sent up and solemnly mouthed by the footmanon the landing. At length, when we had all but given her up, Dorothyarrived. A hood of lavender silk heightened the oval of her face, andout from under it crept rebellious wisps of her dark hair. But she wasvery pale, and I noticed for the first time a worn expression that gaveme a twinge of uneasiness. 'Twas then I caught sight of the duke, asurly stamp on his leaden features. And after him danced Mr. Manners. Dolly gave a little cry when she saw me. 

"Oh! Richard, I am so glad you are here. I was wondering what hadbecome of you. And Comyn, too. " Whispering to me, "Mamma has had aletter from Mrs. Brice; your grandfather has been to walk in the garden. "

"And Grafton?"

"She said nothing of your uncle, " she replied, with a little shudder atthe name; "but wrote that Mr. Carvel was said to be better. So there!your conscience need not trouble you for remaining. I am sure he wouldwish you to pay a visit home. 

"And I have to scold you, sir. You have not been to Arlington Street forthree whole days. "

It struck me suddenly that her gayety was the same as that she had wornto my birthday party, scarce a year agone. 

"Dolly, you are not well!" I said anxiously. 

She flung her head saucily for answer. In the meantime his Grace, talking coldly to Comyn, had been looking unutterable thunders at me. I thought of him awaking in the dew at Covent Garden, and could scarcekeep from laughing in his face. Mr. Marmaduke squirmed to the front. 

"Morning, Richard, " he said, with a marked cordiality. "Have you met theDuke of Chartersea? No! Your Grace, this is Mr. Richard Carvel. Hisfamily are dear friends of ours in the colonies. "

To my great surprise, the duke saluted me quite civilly. But I had thefeeling of facing a treacherous bull which would gore me as soon as evermy back was turned. He was always putting me in mind of a bull, with hisshort neck and heavy, hunched shoulders, --and with the ugly tinge of redin the whites of his eyes. 

"Mr. Manners tells me you are to remain awhile in London, Mr. Carvel, " hesaid, in his thick voice. 

I took his meaning instantly, and replied in kind. 

"Yes, your Grace, I have some business to attend to here. "

"Ah, " he answered; "then I shall see you again. "

"Probably, sir, " said I. 

His Lordship watched this thrust and parry with an ill-concealed delight. Dorothy's face was impassive, expressionless. As the duke turned tomount the stairs, he stumbled clumsily across a young man coming to payhis respects to Miss Manners, and his Grace went sprawling against thewall. 

"Confound you, sir!" he cried. 

For the ducal temper was no respecter of presences. Then a title was atitle to those born lower, and the young man plainly had a vast honourfor a coronet. 

"I beg your Grace's pardon, " said he. 

"Who the deuce is he?" demanded the duke petulantly of Mr. Manners, thereby setting the poor little man all a-tremble. 

"Why, why, --" he replied, searching for his spyglass. 

For an instant Dolly's eyes shot scorn. Chartersea had clearly seen andheeded that signal before. 

"The gentleman is a friend of mine, " she said. 

Tho' I were put out of the Garden of Eden as a consequence, I itched tohave it out with his Grace then and there. I knew that I was bound tocome into collision with him sooner or later. Such, indeed, was mymission in London. But Dorothy led the way upstairs, a spot of colourburning each of her cheeks. The stream of guests had been arrested untilthe hall was packed, and the curious were peering over the rail above. 

"Lord, wasn't she superb!" exclaimed Comyn, exultingly, as we followed. In the drawing-room the buzzing about the card tables was hushed a momentas she went in. But I soon lost sight of her, thanks to Comyn. He drewme on from group to group, and I was duly presented to a score of LadySo-and-sos and honourable misses, most of whom had titles, but littleelse. Mammas searched their memories, and suddenly discovered that theyhad heard their parents speak of my grandfather. But, as it was a fairpresumption that most colonial gentlemen made a visit home at least oncein their lives, I did not allow the dust to get into my eyes. I wasinvited to dinners, and fairly showered with invitations to balls anddrums and garden parties. I was twitted about the Beauty, most oftenwith only a thin coating of amiability covering the spite of the remark. In short, if my head had not been so heavily laden with other matters, itmight well have become light under the strain. Had I been ambitious toenter the arena I should have had but little trouble, since eligibilitythen might be reduced to guineas and another element not moral. I wasthe only heir of one of the richest men in the colony, vouched for by theManners and taken up by Mr. Fox and my Lord Comyn. Inquiries are notpushed farther. I could not help seeing the hardness of it all, orrefrain from contrasting my situation with that of the penniless outcastI had been but a little time before. The gilded rooms, the hundredyellow candles multiplied by the mirrors, the powder, the perfume, the jewels, --all put me in mind of the poor devils I had left wastingaway their lives in Castle Yard. They, too, had had their times ofprosperity, their friends who had faded with the first waning of fortune. Some of them had known what it was to be fawned over. And how many ofthese careless, flitting men of fashion I looked upon could feel theground firm beneath their feet; or could say with certainty what a changeof ministers, or one wild night at White's or Almack's, would bringforth? Verily, one must have seen the under side of life to know theupper!

Presently I was sought out by Mr. Topham Beauclerk, who had heard of theepisode below and wished to hear more. He swore at the duke. 

"He will be run through some day, and serve him jolly right, " said he. "Bet you twenty pounds Charles Fox does it! His Grace knows he has thecourage to fight him. "

"The courage!" I repeated. 

"Yes. Angelo says the duke has diabolical skill. And then he won'tfight fair. He killed young Atwater on a foul, you know. Slipped onthe wet grass, and Chartersea had him pinned before he caught his guard. But there is Lady Di a-calling, a-calling. "

"Do all the women cheat in America too?" asked Topham, as we approached. 

I thought of my Aunt Caroline, and laughed. 

"Some, " I answered. 

"They will game, d--n 'em, " said Topham, as tho' he had never gamed inhis life. "And they will cheat, till a man has to close his eyes tokeep from seeing their pretty hands. And they will cry, egad, oh sotouchingly, if the luck goes against them in spite of it all. Only lastweek I had to forgive Mrs Farnham an hundred guineas. She said she'dlost her pin-money twice over, and was like to have wept her eyes out. "

Thus primed in Topham's frank terms, I knew what to expect. And I foundto my amusement he had not overrun the truth. I lost like a stoic, sawnothing, and discovered the straight road to popularity. 

"The dear things expect us to make it up at the clubs, " whispered he. 

I discovered how he had fallen in love with his wife, Lady Diana, andpitied poor Bolingbroke heartily for having lost her. She was then inher prime, --a beauty, a wit, and a great lady, with a dash of thehumanities about her that brought both men and women to her feet. 

"You must come to see me, Mr. Carvel, " said she. "I wish to talk to youof Dorothy. "

"Your Ladyship believes me versed in no other subject?" I asked. 

"None other worth the mention, " she replied instantly; "Topham tells meyou can talk horses, and that mystery of mysteries, American politics. But look at Miss Manners Dow. I'll warrant she is making Sir Charles seeto his laurels, and young Stavordale is struck dumb. "

I looked up quickly and beheld Dolly surrounded by a circle of admirers. 

"Mark the shot strike!" Lady Di continued, between the deals; "that timeChartersea went down. I fancy he is bowled over rather often, " she saidslyly. "What a brute it is. And they say that that little woman she hasfor a father imagines a union with the duke will redound to his glory. "

"They say, " remarked Mrs. Meynel, sitting next me, "that the duke hasthumbscrews of some kind on Mr. Manners. "

"Miss Manners is able to take care of herself, " said Topham. 

"'On dit', that she has already refused as many dukes as did her Grace ofArgyle, " said Mrs. Meynel. 

I had lost track of the cards, and knew I was losing prodigiously. Butmy eyes went back again and again to the group by the doorway, whereDolly was holding court and dispensing justice, and perchance injustice. The circle increased. Ribands, generals whose chests were covered withmedals of valour, French noblemen, and foreign ambassadors stopped for aword with the Beauty and passed on their way, some smiling, somereflecting, to make room for others. I overheard from the neighbouringtables a spiteful protest that a young upstart from the colonies shouldturn Lady Tankerville's drum into a levee. My ears tingled as Ilistened. But not a feathered parrot in the carping lot of them coulddeny that Miss Manners had beauty and wit enough to keep them all at bay. Hers was not an English beauty: every line of her face and pose of herbody proclaimed her of that noble type of Maryland women, distinctlyAmerican, over which many Englishmen before and since have lost theirheads and hearts. 

"Egad!" exclaimed Mr. Storer, who was looking on; "she's alreadydefeated some of the Treasury Bench, and bless me if she isn't ratingNorth himself. "

Half the heads in the room were turned toward Miss Manners, who wasexchanging jokes with the Prime Minister of Great Britain. I saw acorpulent man, ludicrously like the King's pictures, with bulging grayeyes that seemed to take in nothing. And this was North, upon whoseconduct with the King depended the fate of our America. Good-naturedhe was, and his laziness was painfully apparent. He had the reputationof going to sleep standing, like a horse. 

"But the Beauty contrives to keep him awake, " said Storer. 

"If you stay among us, Mr. Carvel, " said Topham, "she will get you acommissionership for the asking. "

"Look, " cried Lady Di, "there comes Mr. Fox, the precocious, theirresistible. Were he in the Bible, we should read of him passing thetime of day with King Solomon. "

"Or instructing Daniel in the art of lion-taming, " put in Mrs. Meynel. 

There was Mr. Fox in truth, and the Beauty's face lighted up at sight ofhim. And presently, when Lord North had made his bow and passed on, hewas seen to lead her out of the room, leaving her circle to go to pieces, like an empire without a head. 

CHAPTER XXXIII

DRURY LANE

After a night spent in making resolutions, I set out for ArlingtonStreet, my heart beating a march, as it had when I went thither on myarrival in London. Such was my excitement that I was near to being runover in Piccadilly like many another country gentleman, and roundlycursed by a wagoner for my stupidity. I had a hollow bigness within me, half of joy, half of pain, that sent me onward with ever increasing stepsand a whirling storm of contradictions in my head. Now it was: Dollyloved me in spite of all the great men in England. Why, otherwise, hadshe come to the sponging-house? Berating myself: had her affection beenother than that of a life-long friendship she would not have come aninch. But why had she made me stay in London? Why had she spoken so toComyn? What interpretation might be put upon a score of little acts ofhers that came a-flooding to mind, each a sacred treasure of memory? Alover's interpretation, forsooth. Fie, Richard! what presumption tothink that you, a raw lad, should have a chance in such a field! Youhave yet, by dint of hard knocks and buffets, to learn the world. 

By this I had come in sight of her house, and suddenly I trembled like agreen horse before a cannon. My courage ran out so fast that I was soonleft without any, and my legs had carried me as far as St. James's Churchbefore I could bring them up. Then I was sure, for the first time, thatshe did not love me. In front of the church I halted, reflecting that Ihad not remained in England with any hope of it, but rather to discoverthe truth about Chartersea's actions, and to save her, if it werepossible. I turned back once more, and now got as far as the knocker, and lifted it as a belfry was striking the hour of noon. I think I wouldhave fled again had not the door been immediately opened. 

Once more I found myself in the room looking out over the Park, theFrench windows open to the balcony, the sunlight flowing in with thespring-scented air. On the table was lying a little leather book, stamped with gold, --her prayerbook. Well I remembered it! I opened it, to read: "Dorothy, from her Mother. Annapolis, Christmas, 1768. " Thesweet vista of the past stretched before my eyes. I saw her, on such a, Mayday as this, walking to St. Anne's under the grand old trees, theirbudding leaves casting a delicate tracery at her feet. I followed her upthe aisle until she disappeared in the high pew, and then I sat beside mygrandfather and thought of her, nor listened to a word of Mr. Allen'ssermon. Why had they ever taken her to London?

When she came in I sought her face anxiously. She was still pale; and Ithought, despite her smile, that a trace of sadness lingered in her eyes. 

"At last, sir, you have come, " she said severely. "Sit down and give anaccount of yourself at once. You have been behaving very badly. "

"Dorothy--"

"Pray don't 'Dorothy' me, sir. But explain where you have been for thisweek past. "

"But, Dolly--"

"You pretend to have some affection for your old playmate, but you do nottrouble yourself to come to see her. "

"Indeed, you do me wrong. "

"Do you wrong! You prefer to gallivant about town with Comyn and CharlesFox, and with all those wild gentlemen who go to Brooks's. Nay, I haveheard of your goings-on. I shall write to Mr. Carvel to-day, and advisehim to send for you. And tell him that you won a thousand pounds in onenight--"

"It was only seven hundred, " I interrupted sheepishly. I thought shesmiled faintly. 

And will probably lose twenty thousand before you have done. And I shallsay to him that you have dared to make bold rebel speeches to a Lord ofthe Admiralty and to some of the King's supporters. I shall tell yourgrandfather you are disgracing him. "

"Rebel speeches!" I cried. 

"Yes, rebel speeches at Almack's. Who ever heard of such a thing! Nodoubt I shall hear next of your going to a drawing-room and instructinghis Majesty how to subdue the colonies. And then, sir, you will be sentto the Tower, and I shan't move a finger to get you out. "

"Who told you of this, Dolly?" I demanded. 

"Mr. Fox, himself, for one. He thought it so good, --or so bad, --that hetook me aside last night at Lady Tankerville's, asked me why I had letyou out of Castle Yard, and told me I must manage to curb your tongue. I replied that I had about as much influence with you as I have with Dr. Franklin. "

I laughed. 

"I saw Fox lead you off, " I said. 

"Oh, you did, did you!" she retorted. "But you never once came near meyourself, save when I chanced to meet you in the hall, tho' I was there afull three hours. "

"How could I!" I exclaimed. "You were surrounded by prime ministers andambassadors, and Heaven knows how many other great people. "

"When you wish to do anything, Richard, you usually find a way. "

"Nay, " I answered, despairing, "I can never explain anything to you, Dolly. Your tongue is too quick for mine. "

"Why didn't you go home with your captain?" she asked mockingly. 

"Do you know why I stayed?"

"I suppose because you want to be a gay spark and taste of the pleasuresof London. That is, what you men are pleased to call pleasures. I canthink of no other season. "

"There is another, " I said desperately. 

"Ah, " said Dolly. And in her old aggravating way she got up and stood inthe window, looking out over the park. I rose and stood beside her, myvery temples throbbing. 

"We have no such springs at home, " she said. "But oh, I wish I were atWilmot House to-day!"

"There is another reason, " I repeated. My voice sounded far away, likethat of another. I saw the colour come into her cheeks again, slowly. The southwest wind, with a whiff of the channel salt in it, blew thecurtains at our backs. 

"You have a conscience, Richard, " she said gently, without turning. "Sofew of us have. "

I was surprised. Nor did I know what to make of that there were so manymeanings. 

"You are wild, " she continued, "and impulsive, as they say your fatherwas. But he was a man I should have honoured. He stood firm beside hisfriends. He made his enemies fear him. All strong men must haveenemies, I suppose. They must make them. "

I looked at her, troubled, puzzled, but burning at her praise of CaptainJack. 

"Dolly, " I cried, "you are not well. Why won't you come back toMaryland?"

She did not reply to that. Then she faced me suddenly. 

"Richard, I know now why you insisted upon going back. It was becauseyou would not desert your sea-captain. Comyn and Mr. Fox have told me, and they admire you for it as much as I. "

What language is worthy to describe her as she was then in that pose, with her head high, as she was wont to ride over the field after thehounds. Hers was in truth no beauty of stone, but the beauty of force, --of life itself. 

"Dorothy, " I cried; "Dorothy, I stayed because I love you. There, I havesaid it again, what has not passed my lips since we were children. Whathas been in my heart ever since. "

I stopped, awed. For she had stepped back, out on the balcony. She hidher head in her hands, and I saw her breast shaken as with sobs. Iwaited what seemed a day, --a year. Then she raised her face and lookedat me through the tears shining in her eyes. 

"Richard, " she said sadly, "why, why did you ever tell me? Why can wenot always be playmates?"

The words I tried to say choked me. I could not speak for sorrow, forvery bitterness. And yet I might have known! I dared not look at heragain. 

"Dear Richard, " I heard her say, "God alone understands how it hurts meto give you pain. Had I only foreseen--"

"Had you only foreseen, " I said quickly. 

"I should never have let you speak. "

Her words came steadily, but painfully. And when I raised my eyes shemet them bravely. 

"You must have seen, " I cried. "These years I have loved you, nor couldI have hidden it if I had wished. But I have little--to offer you, " Iwent on cruelly, for I knew not what I said; "you who may have Englishlands and titles for the consenting. I was a fool. "

Her tears started again. And at sight of them I was seized with suchremorse that I could have bitten my tongue in two. 

"Forgive me, Dorothy, if you can, " I implored. "I did not mean it. Nordid I presume to think you loved me. I have adored, --I shall be contentto adore from far below. And I stayed, --I stayed that I might save youif a danger threatened. "

"Danger!" she exclaimed, catching her breath. 

"I will come to the point, " I said. "I stayed to save you from the Dukeof Chartersea. "

She grasped the balcony rail, and I think would have fallen but for myarm. Then she straightened, and only the quiver of her lip marked theeffort. 

"To save me from the Duke of Chartersea?" she said, so coldly that myconviction was shaken. "Explain yourself, sir. "

"You cannot love him!" I cried, amazed. 

She flashed upon me a glance I shall never forget. 

"Richard Carvel, " she said, "you have gone too far. Though you have beenmy friend all my life, there are some things which even you cannot say tome. "

And she left me abruptly and went into the house, her head flung back. And I followed in a tumult of mortification and wounded pride, in such astate of dejection that I wished I had never been born. But hers was anature of surprises, and impulsive, like my own. Beside the cabinet sheturned, calm again, all trace of anger vanished from her face. Drawing ahawthorn sprig from a porcelain vase I had given her, she put it in myhand. 

"Let us forget this, Richard, " said she; "we have both been veryfoolish. "

Forget, indeed! Unless Heaven had robbed me of reason, had torn the pastfrom me at a single stroke. I could not have forgotten. When I reachedmy lodgings I sent the anxious Banks about his business and threw myselfin a great chair before the window, the chair she had chosen. Strange tosay, I had no sensation save numbness. The time must have been about twoof the clock: I took no account of it. I recall Banks coming timidlyback with the news that two gentlemen had called. I bade him send themaway. Would my honour not have Mrs. Marble cook my dinner, and bedressed for Lady Pembroke's ball? I sent him off again, harshly. 

After a long while the slamming of a coach door roused me, and I wasstraightway seized with such an agony of mind that I could have criedaloud. 'Twas like the pain of blood flowing back into a frozen limb. Darkness was fast gathering as I reached the street and began to walkmadly. Word by word I rehearsed the scene in the drawing-room over thePark, but I could not think calmly, for the pain of it. Little by littleI probed, writhing, until far back in my boyhood I was tearing at thedead roots of that cherished plant, which was the Hope of Her Love. Ithad grown with my own life, and now with its death to-day I felt that Ihad lost all that was dear to me. Then, in the midst of this abjectself-pity, I was stricken with shame. I thought of Comyn, who had bornethe same misfortune as a man should. Had his pain been the less becausehe had not loved her from childhood? Like Comyn, I resolved to labourfor her happiness. 

What hour of the night it was I know not when a man touched me on theshoulder, and I came to myself with a start. I was in a narrow streetlined by hideous houses, their windows glaring with light. Each seemed askull, with rays darting from its grinning eye-holes. Within I caughtglimpses of debauchery that turned me sick. Ten paces away three womenand a man were brawling, the low angry tones of his voice mingling withthe screeches of their Billingsgate. Muffled figures were passing andrepassing unconcernedly, some entering the houses, others coming out, anda handsome coach, without arms and with a footman in plain livery, lumbered along and stopped farther on. All this I remarked before I tooknotice of him who had intercepted me, and demanded what he wanted. 

"Hey, Bill!" he cried with an oath to a man who stood on the stepsopposite; "'ere's a soft un as has put 'is gill in. "

The man responded, and behind him came two more of the same feather, andsuddenly I found myself surrounded by an ill-smelling crowd of flashy menand tawdry women. They jostled me, and I reached for my sword, to makethe discovery that I had forgotten it. Regaining my full senses, Istruck the man nearest me a blow that sent him sprawling in the dirt. Ablade gleamed under the sickly light of the fish-oil lamp overhead, but aman crashed through from behind and caught the ruffian's sword-arm andflung him back in the kennel. 

"The watch!" he cried, "the watch!"

They vanished like rats into their holes at the shout, leaving mestanding alone with him. The affair had come and gone so quickly that Iscarce caught my breath. 

"Pardon, sir, " he said, knuckling, "but I followed you. "

It was Banks. For a second time he had given me an affecting example ofhis faithfulness. I forgot that he was my servant, and I caught his handand pressed it. 

"You have saved my life at the risk of your own, " I said; "I shall notforget it. "

But Banks had been too well trained to lose sight of his position. Hemerely tipped his hat again and said imperturbably:

"Best get out of here, your honour. They'll be coming again directly. "

"Where are we?" I asked. 

"Drury Lane, sir, " he replied, giving me just the corner of a glance;"shall I fetch a coach, sir?" No, I preferred to walk. Before we hadturned into Long Acre I had seen all of this Sodom of London that itshould be given a man to see, if indeed we must behold some of thebestiality of this world. Here alone, in the great city, high and lowwere met equal. Sin levels rank. The devil makes no choice between mylord and his kitchen wench who has gone astray. Here, in Sodom, paintedvice had lain for an hundred years and bred half the crime of a century. How many souls had gone hence in that time to meet their Maker! Someof these brazen creatures who leered at me had known how long ago!--a peaceful home and a mother's love; had been lured in their innocence tothis place of horrors, never to leave it until death mercifully overtakesthem. Others, having fallen, had been driven hither by a cruel worldthat shelters all save the helpless, that forgives all save the trulypenitent. I shuddered as I thought of Mr. Hogarth's prints, which, inthe library in Marlboro' Street at home, had had so little meaning forme. Verily he had painted no worse than the reality. As I strodehomeward, my own sorrow subdued by the greater sorrow I had looked upon, the craving I had had to be alone was gone, and I would have locked armswith a turnspit. I called to Banks, who was behind at a respectfuldistance, and bade him come talk to me. His presence of mind in callingon the watch had made even a greater impression upon me than his bravery. I told him that he should have ten pounds, and an increase of wages. AndI asked him where I had gone after leaving Dover Street, and why he hadfollowed me. He answered this latter question first. He had seengentlemen in the same state, or something like it, before: his Lordship, his late master, after he had fought with Mr. Onslow, of the Guards, andSir Edward Minturn, when he had lost an inheritance and a reversion atBrooks's, and was forced to give over his engagement to marry theHonourable Miss Swift. "Lord, sir, " he said, "but that was a sad case, as set all London agog. And Sir Edward shot hisself at Portsmouth not ase'nnight after. "

And he relapsed into silence, no doubt longing to ask the cause of my ownaffliction. Presently he surprised me by saying:

"And I might make so bold, Mr. Carvel, I would like to tell your honoursomething. "

I nodded. And he hawed awhile and then burst out:

"Your honour must know then that I belongs to the footman's club inBerkeley Square, where I meets all the servants o' quality--"

"Yes, " I said, wondering what footman's tale he had to tell. 

"And Whipple, he's a hintimate o' mine, sir. " He stopped again. 

"And who may Whipple be?"

"With submission, sir. Whipple's his Grace o' Chartersea's man--and, you'll forgive me, sir--Whipple owns his Grace is prodigious ugly, an'killed young Mr. Atwater unfair, some think. Whipple says he would givenotice had he not promised the old duke--"

"Drat Whipple!" I cried. 

"Yes, sir. To be sure, sir. His Grace was in a bloody rage when hefound hisself in a fruit bin at Covent Carding. An' two redbreasts hadcarried him to the round house, sir, afore they discovered his title. An' since his Grace ha' said time an' time afore Whipple, that he'll ha'Mr. Carvel's heart for that, and has called you most disgustin' badnames, sir. An' Whipple he says to me: 'Banks, drop your marster a word, an' you get the chance. His Grace'll speak him fair to's face, but lethim look behind him. '"

"I thank you again, Banks. I shall bear in mind your devotion, "I replied. "But I had nothing to do with sending the duke to CoventGarden. "

"Ay, sir, so I tells Whipple. "

"Pray, how did you know?" I demanded curiously. 

"Lord, sir! All the servants at Almack's is friends o' mine, " says he. "But Whipple declares his Grace will be sworn you did it, sir, tho' theLord Mayor hisself made deposition 'twas not. "

"Then mark me, Banks, you are not to talk of this. "

"Oh, Lord, no, your honour, " he said, as he fell back. But I was not sosure of his discretion as of his loyalty. 

And so I was led to perceive that I was not to be the only aggressor inthe struggle that was to come. That his Grace did me the honour to lookupon me as an obstacle. And that he intended to seize the firstopportunity to make way with me, by fair means or foul.