The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-09-02
Merning Stsr and Catholic Messenger.
AEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER Q 1877.
GERVA Sc
@&RQeMheW-eM~IHNS n N
An Episode of the 18th Century.
THEODORE HOWARD GALToN
GERVA Sc
An Episode of the 18th Century.
tContlnued /
CHAPTER XIV.
Dame Dorothy at Elmley.

fancy to Gervase Sachev verill, and felt q iiyel
interest in his success in winning the object O
his passion. She could even excuse his weak
ness in having allowed himself to be nome n
tarily attracted by the plausible arguments o
the recusants, of which she imagined the-po
tenoy to consist in their contrast 10 the nn
sound teaching of tho extreme Protestant IL
with whom he had been thrown, feeling &c
doubt whatever but that her High Church di-
vines would soon be able to dispel his illu;
sions and to resettle him in the ''sober ways
OF the Anglican religion. She carefully re.
Trained from alarming her spouse by any illu.
sion to his proclivities, leading him 10 sup
pose that the young mans love for Mistress
Clara was the sole canse of his epeE-leniency to-
ward her CO religionists. She argued that a
match between him and this Catholic heiress
would be unquestional gain to the Pro-
testant cause, for that by this means the
estates would pass out of Papist hands into
those of o family attached to tho National
count of his interview with Dame Mary Yate,
she turned over in her mind how she might
best forward his object without suffering him
TO compromise his Protestantism. Sho was
indignant with Mr.. Townshend's use of SacEc-
veriiPs name in tho document which was do
clared to have emanated from his haud, ana
bethought her how this matter could be clear
ed up without involving either Gervase or Sir
John in any apparent wish TO screen "a Popish
priest from the penalties to which tho law of
the land aud public opinion Gas sbe beieved)
consigned him. If her son John had not been
absent from the county, attending to his du-
ties as knight of he SHIRE she would have con-
6ded to him the delicate task of entering into
an expl snation with the Justice of the Peace
at Elmley. AS 1t was che determined to un-
dertAke the matter herself, and resolved to
proceed bither in her coach and elk, as she felt
that the Townshends would be battered by her
attention in calling upon them in state-a civili-
ty which she had neglected for some time. The
impractlcable nature of the roads rendered this
mode of progression o service of difficulty, but
after due consultation with the ooachman, she
arranged to set forth on her errand the follow
ing day. Her object was twofold. She de-
sired to act the part of peacemaker between
GerVase and his uncle, and in the next place to
smooth the way for carrying out her plan with
regard to Miss Finch. The latter would, as
she foressw, require extreme tact and caution,
and she was sensible that the only line by
which she could hope to reconcile the Towns.
hends to such q match would be through the
hope of transferring Pnpistis estates into
Protestant hands, and she couse quently re.
solved to make the most of this posi- bility.
IL was cold autumnal morning when the
coach left tho stables at Hampton Lovet to
take mp Dame Dorothy at Westwood. The
ponderous six horse vehicle was preceded by
Outrlders, and accompanied by two three
After rough and perilous drive of more
than two hours, the vehicle reached the out
skirts of the park.
Dora Townshend super Intended the poultry.
and was driving her fowls off the leutils spread
to dry in front of the house, when NepGuues
bark attracted her attention TO the arrival Of
the coach. She was surprised to see the
grand vehicle with levered footmeu and out
riders approaching the moat, and with breath
less haste deserting her chickens, she ran in
to inform her mother of the event. The two
ladies, after tummoning the domestics to the
door, hurried to their chamber to prepare
their toilets as best they could for 60 unwunt- |
ed an occasion. The squire called from
his justice.rr ON, and stumbled forth, dumb |
foundered at the occurrence, to receive the |
great lady as she alighted from her carriage.
All! MIR. Townshend," she exclaimed, after |
the fret formal salutations which courtesy de- |
mauded, "you are doubtless wondering at nv |
venturing to intrude upon your lady and your |
self without due warning, bat trust yon will |
PARDON an old woman's freak, when you hear
my explanation"
BY heavens, my lady," quoth the Justice,
showing evident signs of surprise, "no ex pla- |
nation were needed from so old and respected |
q neighbor. But both my wife ard are fully |
sensible of the honor you thus vouchsafe TO
confer upon us by your kipd coudes scepsion |
SItter me, my lady, to show yon to our parlor, |
where my wife and 6aughter will be nSttered |
to receive your ladyship, who | trust will |
deign to partske of our poor fare, and mean
while Of some cakes and wine after your toll
some journey hither by roads, which must
perforce have jDlted you severely."
She thanked him and followed him into the
drawing room.
my dear SIR" abe said dotaini1g hin, frou
going in quest of his wife or the customary
refreshments "tfored to. visitors Il must ask
you TO hear me for a moment before Mrs.
rownshend cpmes. My visit. hath more than
'ne object Ia view, for l confess that have
oDg proposed doing myself the honor of com.
ing hither to pay my. respects to netghbors
> HON hold in such high esteem. Albeit uu.
der other circumstances should have fore
stalled my arrival by announcing my inteu-
ion"
sThere was no need of that. Your lady.
hip were always welcome" returued the
squire.
Bot as it ohanoed," che pursued, without
leeding his interruption, 81 felt called to uu.
lertake this journey without time to warn
'ou of my purpose. Mr.. Townshend, your
lephew Gervase sachevorill is staying with
10 ut Westwood."
my nephewnathe rascalI thought he
vent to London"
My husband stopped him at Worcester and
Ee brought him back with u.s." she said.
i warn you, my lady, that he 10 lesgued
nth Popish plotteIS"
" Ny dear sir" she rejoined, "he hath told
90 all, aud trust to be able to satisfy YOU I
hat he repents of his errors. am come as a !
ruce-bearer to make peace between you if |
lay thus far be suffered to intrude into your {
Amily affairs. 1 have had much serious dis I
curse with him touching his foolish leniency
OWards recusants, and believe can vouch (
or his being sound Protestant at core" I
your ladyship's doctrine may suit him bet !
or than ours" quoth her interlocutor rather
'for he was reared in n prelati- {
81 and to my thinking Bemi-P Apistical school, I
Nho aff rnfN hat ,l, /