The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-03
SHREWSBURY"
by STANLEY j. wEYMAN.
Copyright 1897 bp Stanley j. Wevn,orA
CHAPTER XLI.-CoNTINuEp.

very dear Duke lie said, that is Just what
they arc doing. They do name you. You are
the fourth"
4 believe that my lord had so little expected
the answer that for n space he remained star.
ing at tho speaker in equal surprise and dis
may. Then. his Indignation finding vent, at
is not possible" he cried. even in tho coffee
houses! And, besides, IL your story is true,
my lord, the Duke OF Devonshirc alone knows
what Sir John has discovered and whom he
has accused"
Lord Marlborough pursed mp mia lips. Things
get known strangely he said. For in.
stance, tho shadow which came between your
Grace aud his Majesty In '9O-probably you
supposed 1t to lie known TO tho King only, or,
81 to any besides. 10 Portland, at most? On
the contrary, there were scarce a knot of chat
terers at Garraway's but whispered OF your
dinners with Middleton and meetings with
Montgomery, watched for tho even, and gave
the odds on st. Gcrlnain's in guincas.'
The Earl spoke in his ARREST manner, took
snuff in medic and. with II carclessness that
none could so well affect, avoided looking at his
nearer. Nevertheless, tho shaft went home.
My lord, smitLcn between the joints Of his har
ness, suffered all that a proud and sensitive
man, appraised on a sudden that his dearest
secrets were the property OF the Market place,
could suffer, and notwithstanding the compo-
eure which seLf.rCspcCt would fain have main
tanned. MY lord, this is going too far" no
gaspcd. ''Who gave your lordship leave to-
to touch on a matter which concerns only my
sclfl'
simply this later matter" the Earl an.
swored in Il plain. mat .er.of-fact tone that at
once sobcred the Duke and seemed to justify
his own interference. "lf there is anything at
all in this rumor-if Sir John has really said
anything, / take it that the old gossip is at the
bottom of it,"
The Duke stared before him with a troubled
face and did not answer. To some 1t might
have seemed tho most natural course to carry
war into tho informant's country, and by n
dry question or n pregnant word suggest that at
least as good grounds ext ted for the imputa-
ton cast on him. But such "a line of argument
was beneath the dignity which was never long
wanting to my lord, and he made no attempt to
disturb the others cQuanin'ty or question his
triumph. After n time. how ever, Il beg your
pardon he said. Il forgot myself and spoke
hastily. But he is a most inpudent fellow."
"A damned impudcnt fellow!' the Earl cried,
with more fcr"or than he had yet exhibited.
And he is playing an impudent game" my
lord continued thoughttully. But a danger
Gus ono"
"A he will find to his cost, before he is DONE"
Lord Marlborough answered. 1T is cunningly
thought OF. II ne Will save his head he must
give mp some one. SO as he will not give up his
friends he will ruin his enemies: If The King is
q fool and can spare u.s."
1.-The King is no fool!' said the Duke rather
coldly. 1t was no secret that between William
and Lord Marlborough love was not lost.
well, that may be u good thing for u.s. the
Earl answered lightly. He had not the repu.
tation even with his friends of setting his feel
tags before his interests, nor probably in all
England was there n man who looked out on
the world with a kcener eye to benefit by the
weaknesses % men and make profit of their
strength.
I: know that 1t i'll becomes one in my station
= carp at the great Duke. as men now style
him, though of al his greatness, genius, and
courage, there remains but a poor dwelling
Childishncss, calling every minute for a wOm-
ans tendance. And far am l from giving voice
or encouragement to the hints OF those who,
hating him. maintain that in future times
things incredibly base will be traced to his door.
But truth :s truth. That he knew more of the
matter now threatening and stood to lose more
by it than my lord, | have little;doubt; nor that,
this being SO. the rea! object OF his visit was to
Insure the solidity Of the ussailed phalanx, and
particularly 10 make it certain that the Secretary,
whose weight with the King was exceeded only
by his popularity with the party, should not
stand aloof from the common hazard.
Having attained this object, so far as it
could be obtained in a single interview, and
NuuILS lHhl Jic blht III spite u All III EFFORTS
to the contrary, continued moody and dis
trnught, he presently look his leave. But to
my lords establishment he was announced
again ten minutes afterward. He re-entcred
with profusc apologies.
Il went from your Grace's to the Venetian
Ambassadors, on further side of the square," he
said. There ! heard it confidently stated that
Goodman, one of the two witnesses against Sir
John, had absconded. Have you heard it,
nnknf'i
No" my lord answered. with some dryness;
And | am sure that il Is not true"
Necessarily
"Neverthcl6ss. and craving your pardon. -
is something in it. If he has not been induced
to go, | fancy from what l hear that he is hest
Then he must be looked to-"
ali iS ssT diSrSc nc to go; si Io, HE SeeI > ;b you'd 9id, make max
There would be only Porter, and the act re.
quircs two Witnesses"
nesses. were required in a case Of treason was
too tritc II statement to call for comment. Then,
70 lick the platter, my lord, in order to keep
the fingers clean he said. -.
putt, he said, not a whit abashed. $50 it
would fop are right, Duke. as you always
took his leave a second time.
none meG can he do !Sbi W SE TFn arWP tBe man Bnke behind ds%s, him hin
nature and respect lor his high position, and
dignity. 10 md that the weakness venial and
casual, Of which he had been guilty wears before
in STOPPING to listen TO Lord Middleton's solici,
tations-a fault which he had fancicd known
only TO the King ana by him forgivcn-to find
that this was the property of tho public was
burden enough. but to learn that. on this was
to be founded Il fresh charge, for the proper ref
utation of which the past must be rakcd up
was torture int"lcrable. In a fine sense of tie
ridiculous, my lord cNccllcd any man OF his
time; he could feather, therefore, out Of his own
breast the shafts OF evil ina would be aimed al
the man vino, one OF the seven to bring over
William in IS, had stopped in 80 to listen &c
the Exile. He could see more clearly than any
all the Inconsistency, al, the folly, all the weak
ness of the course to which he had not so much
committed himself, As been tempted TO commit
himself. The minister unfaithful, the patriot
importuned. Were parts In which he saw him
sell exposed to the town, to the salliea of Ton
Brown and The impertinences of Ned Ward
nny, in proportion NJ he appreciated the gran
deur of honest rebellion, OF treason, open anG
declared, he felt shame Tor the pcttiness of thc
part he had himself played, "A waverer wher
trusted, and a ~palterer when In power.
Such reflections. weighed ON him 50 heavily