The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-12-27

the tabie. "Why, what is the matter with
you, Pritchard?" inquired Miss Beauchamp,
startled by the agitation and fright manifest
ed in tho stew ards conntensnce. He drew
his hand across his forehead, and stsmmered
that he was grieved To see them in such
trouble, when he was interrupted by Mrs.
Besuchsmp putting the open letter into his
hand, and telling him 10 read il. The stew
ard could scsrce adjus, his glasses, for he
trembled like an aspen leaf Tie read
"Madam.
my client. Lady Hester Gripe, hsvins
consented 10 advance q further sum OF ~,
O0Oi. to Mr.. Henry Bcsuchamp. your son, on
mortgage Of his estates in--shire, beg to
bknow whether you have any snnui'y or rent
charge issuing therefrom. and It so. TO what
amount. ! beg you Til consider this eLqui
~ as strictly confidential. as between Lady
Hester end Mr.. Beauc hsmp, or the hegotIa
tions will be broken of; for her lsdyship's
| extreme caution has induced her TO break
through my promise 10 Mr.. Beauchsmp, Of
not SLOWING you, or any one else, to know OF
the transaction. As, however, Mr.. Beau
champ said that even il you did know. il was
no, of much consequence, ] presume | have
not gone very far wrong in yielding TO her
ladyship's opportunities. May beg the ia.
vor ofa reply, per return Of post? have the
honor. &c. &c.
"Furnival's Inn, London"
Before the staggered steward had got
through half this letter, no was ooligrd to lay
il down for moment or two, 10 recover from
his trepidstion.
| "a further sum-" he nnattered. He-wiped
the cold perspirstion from his forehead, and
dashed out the ,esrs from his half blinded
eyes. and resumed his pcrusal Of the letter.
which shook in his hands. Noone spoke q
syllsble; and when he had finished vesding
he laid down the letter in silence. Mrs.
Beauchamp safe leaning back in her chair
with her eyes closed. She murmured some.
thing which the straining ear Of the steward
could not catch.
"Well. Gods holy will be done!" oxclsim-
ed Mira. Besuchanp, feebly, tasting little
brandy and water "but am afraid my poor
Henry--snd all Of us-are ruinedP
"God grant not, my lady! Oh, don't
don't say so. my lady!" sobbed the steward,
dropping involuntary upon his knees and ele.
vsting hls clasped hands supwards-"'Tistru true.
ny lady," he continued, master Henry--for
| can't help calling him so--hss been little
wild in London--but all 10 not yet gone--oh
no, ma'am, no."
"You must, Of course, have known all
long Of his doings you must, Pritchsrd!'
said Mrs. Beauchamp, in low tone.
"Why, Yes, my lady, Ihave-- but I've gone
down on my knees every blessed night, and
prayed that might find way Of letting you
know"----
| "Hhy could you not have told me?" en-
quired Mrs. Besuchamp, looking keenly a,
the steward.
"Becsusc. my lady, was his steward, and
bound TO keep his confidence. lie would
have discharged me the moment ] had open
ed my lips"
Mrs. Beauchsmp made no reply. She saw
the worthy mans dilemma, and doubted not
his integrity, though she had entertained mo.
mentariIy . suspicion Of his guilty scquics'
cence.
"Iiave you ever heard. Pritchard, how the
money has gone in London?"
"Never breath. my lady, that | could 70.
| ly on"
"Whst have you henrd?" "Ths, he fire.
quents gaming houses?" enquired Mrs. Beau
champ. her features whitening ss she went
on. The steward shook his head. There
was another mournful psuse.
| .Now, Pritchsrd," said Mrs Beauchsmp,
with an effort to muster up all her cslmncss
-"tcll me, as in the sight Of God, how mnch
money has my son made away with since he
leh?"
The steward paused and hesitated.
~ must not be trihed with, Pritchsrd," con.
,inued Mrs. Beauchamp. solemnly. and with
increasing agitation. The steward seemed
calculating moment.
"Why, my lady. If mnst DO plain, I'm q.
frsid that twenty thousand pounds would not
"TwESrv THOUSAND PouNDs!" screamed
Miss Bcauchsmp, springing out her chair
wildly; but her attention was in an instant alb
sorbed by her aunt, who, on hearing the sum
named BY the steward. after moving her nm.
gers for moment or two, ss if she was try
ing to speak, suddenly fell back IN her seat,
and swooned. n
To describe the scenes of CONSERVATION
and despair which ensued, would be mpossi
BILE. Mrs Besuchamp's feelings were sever
sf times urging her on 10 the borders of mad
ness; and Miss Besuchamp looked the image
Of spoechless, breathless horror. A. length,
however. Mrs. Besuchamp succeeded in over
coming her feelings-for she was woman
Of unusual strength Of mIhd--and insts ntly
addressed herself to meet the naked horrors
Of the case, and see IL il were possible to dis.
cover or apply a remedy. After days
ANXIOUS thought, and consultation with her
distracted niece, she decided on the line of
operations The intended to pursue.
| TO return, however, TO her son. Things
went on a. might be- supposed from the situ.
alton IN which We left him. worse and worse.
Poor Beauchamp's life nigh, justly be said
To b. a perpetual frenzy passed in alterns.
tive psroxysms Of remorsc, despair, rage,
fear, and al the other baneful passions that
can tear and distract the human soul. He
had become stupi6.d, snd could not fully
comprehend the enormous ruin which he had
precipi,ateG upon himself--crushed at once