The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07
CHAPTER II.
4 NOBLE LORD.


ing the ante-roOm of the townhouse of
the right honorable the Earl of Flying
dale was tolerably filled with mixed
company attending his levee.
Soon after IL o'clock the doors of the
private apartments were thrown open. and
his lordship appeared wearing the look of
dignity and proud cOndescenslon combined
which well became the star he wore and
the ancient title which he had inherited.
His age was about thirty. a time of life
when there fingers some remains of youth
and the serious responsibilities are yet
with some men hardly felt His face was
cold and proud and hard. the lips firmly
set, the eyes keen and even piercing, the
features regular. his stature tall, but not
ungainly: his figure manly. 1t was re-
markable among those who knew him in
timately that there was as yet no sign Of
luxurious living on face and figure. He
was not as yet sweled out with wine and
punch; his neck was still slender his face
pale. without any telltale marks of wine
and debauchery. So far as appearance
goes, he might pass if he chose for per
son of the most rigid and even austere
virtue.
This, as l have said, was considered re-
markable by his friends, most of whom
ture and figure with the outward and Wis
ible tokens of profiigate life, for. to con-
fess the truth at the very beginning and
not to attempt concealment or to suffer a
false belief as regards this nobleman, he
was nothing better than a cold-booded.
pitiless. selfish libertine, a rake and vo-
luptuary, one who knew and obeyed no
laws save the laws of ESQ called honor.
These laws allow a man to waste his for
tune at the gaming table. to ruin confid-
ing girls. to spend his time with rake hell
companions in drink and riot and de-
bauchery of all kinds. He must, how
ever. pay his gambling debts; he must
not cheat at cards; he must be polite in
speech; he must be ready to fight when
ever the occasion calls for his sword and
the quarrel seems of sufficient impor-
lance Lord Fylingdale. however, was
not among those who found his chief
pleasure in securing the streets and in
mad riot. You shall learn in due course
what forms Of pleasure chiefly attracted
him.
| have said that his face was proud.
There was not, L believe, any man living
in the whole world who could compare
with Lord Fylingdaie for pride. An over
whelming pride sat upon his brow, was
proclaimed by his eyes, and was betray-
ed by his carriage. With such pride Lu-
fallen as they Were and in the depths of
hopeless ruin
He was dressed in n manner becoming
to his rank Need We dwell upon his coat
of purple velvet. his embroidered waist
coat. his white silk stockings, his lace of
ruffies and cravat, his gold buckles, his
laced hat carried under his arm, his Jew
eled sword hilt, and the rings upon his
fingers? You would think by his dress
that his wealth was equal to his pride,
and by his reception of the suitors that
his power was equal to both pride and
wealth together.
The levee began. One after the other
stepped up to him, spoke a few words, re-
ceived a few words in reply and retired.
each apparently well pleased, for prom |
ises cost nothing. To the poet who asked |
for a subscription and proffered dedica- |
ton my lord promised the former, accept |
ed the latter, and added a few words of |
praise and good wishes. But the sub |
was never paid and the dedica |
ton was afterward altered, so far as the |
-'iperscription, to another noble patron. |
To the clergyman who asked Tor cOuD- !
ny living then vacant my lord promised |
he most kindly consideration and bad :
lim write his request and send it him by ,
)rance. To the officer he promised his |
company as only due to gallantry and (
skill. To the place hunter he |
a post far beyond the dreams
md the hopes of the suppliant. Nothing |
more came Of 1t to either.
The company grew thin. One after the |
,ther the suitors withdrew to feed on |
II is like opening your mouth
o drink the wind. But twas all they /
got.
When they were gone Lord Fylingdale
ooked round the room. In the window
;tood. dangling a cane from his wrist a
gentleman dressed in the highest and lat
st fashion.
Yet when one looked more closely it
vas seen that this gallant exterior array
d an ancient gentleman whose years
we're proclaimed by the sharpening Of his
the wrinkles of his feet, the
rows feet round his eyes. and his bend |
ng shoulders. which he continually en-
eavored to set square and upright. Hat
n one hand and snuffboS in the other. he
-mbled toward his lordship on tiptoe,
which happened just then to be the fash
enable gait.
THY servant, Sir Harry" Ny lord Of
cred him his hand with condescension.
1t warns my heart to see thee There
ore | sent letter. Briefly. Sir Harry,
Fouldst do me n service?"
Il am always at your lordship's COM
hands. This. / hope. l have proved"
Then, Sir Harry, this is the case. 1t is
that for certain private reasons
own. a town of tarpaulins and traders, |
OF a town of fashion, Sir Harry shud-
cred. Patience. my friend. / know not
ow long | shall endure the barbarlc
Ompany. But | must go. There are rea-
ons-let me whisper. reasons of state.
Important secrets-which call me there"
|
/ want on the spot friend"-Sir Harry
miled again. as one who began to under
tand-"a friend who would appear to be |
stranger. Would you, therefore, play
he part of such a friend?'
81 will do whatever your lordship COM
lands. Yet to leave town at this sea-
Ont was then the month of April
he society OF the ladies. 1t is possible
nat the Lady Anastasia may go there. !
he will; as usual keep the bank If she
oes go
The old beaus face cleared, whether in |
of Lady Anastasias society
r her card table | know not.
Ny character, Sir Harry, will be in {
our hands. leave it there confidently. Z
or reasons-for reasons Of state-it
lould be a character Of
II understand Your lordship is a mod
of Virtues-'
so We understand. My secretary will I
inverse with thee further on the point
expenditure"
Sir Harry retired. bowling and twisting
Is body something like an ape. I
Then II gentleman in scarlet presented {
mself 1
Your lordship's most obedient." he :
lid. with scant courtesy. Il come in c
)edience to your letter OF command" a
Colonel, you will hold yourself in readi- a
SIS TO go into the country. There will be
ay. You may lose as much as you /
ease TO Sir Harry Malyus or to anyone !
Sc whom my secretary will point out to C
III. Perhaps you may have to receive
from me. We are stran- O
.rs, remember. and ! am no gambler | {
ough | sometimes take card And f
:. too. retired. d
There remained one sutton. He was a
crgyman dressed in a fine silk cassock | IL
ith bands of the whitest and a noble v
IL of the order ecclesiastic | doubt if | [
e archbishop himself had a finer. 5
Good. my lord he said. II am as r
ual. a suppliant The rectory of St T.
,onard le Size lowry. in the city. is G
INV laF, atigA. In,
q country Il would salt me hugely. A
ord from your lordship to the lord f