The times., 1901-05-05
CHAPTER XI
a RESPrTE.

! It was as one whe carries a respite for
! a man already in the cart and on his way
| to Tyburn or 1 was as one who himself re-
| ceives a respite on the way to Tyburn, for
! If the charges in those letters We're true
there could be doubt as to the result of an
! enquiry. Nor could there be any doubt
| that Lord Fyilngdale IN Such case would
refuse an enquiry. ! ran, therefore, as If
everything depended on my speed, and l
arrived breathless.
Molly was alone, walking about the gar
den restIessly. The sun was now set. but
the glow of the sky fingered, and her face
was flushed in the western light Jack. -
she cried, 1 thought We had parted this
afternoon, What has happened? You
have been running. What is it?"
"A good deal has happened. Molly
For one thing, you will not be married
tomorrow morning.
why not? Is my lord NO.
Not that 1 know of. but you will not
be married tomorrow morning.
You talk in riddles. Jack.
Would you like 10 put of the wedding,
ALAS. if I could put it off altogether!
am downhearted over it, Jack. 1t weighs
me down like lead. But there is no es-
II think have in my pocket a means
of esca pea respite at least-uniess there
are worse liars in the world than those we
have at Lynn"
Liars at Lynn, Jack? Who are they?
Oh, Jack what has happened?
! sat down on a garden DeDCn. Molly
I said, you hold the private character Of
Lord Fylingdale in the highest esteem, do
"There is on better man living. This
makes me ashamed of being so lo.sh to
marry him"
''Weli, but Molly, consider. Who has be
slowed this fine character upon his lord
ship"
Everybody who knows him-Sam Sem
pie for one. He is never weary of sing
ing the praises of his patron
He is grateful soul and. on bis own
account, a pillar of religion. l Will SHOW
you presently what an ornament he is to
religion. Who else
The Rev Benjamin Purden. once his
tutor Surely, he ought to know.
Surely. Nobody ought to know better
will show you presently how admirable
a witness to character this reverend di-
vine must be esteemed
There is Sir Harry Malyns, who as
sured us that his lordship is thought to
be TOO virtuous for the world of fashion
He is himself. like the parson, fine
judge of character. Is that all?
NO. The Lady Anastasia herself spoke
to me of his nobility
She has also spoken to me-of other
things See here, Molly" | Iusged out
the two letters. What | have here con
tain the characters of all these excellent
persons-the latest scandals about them,
their regulations, and their practices
But Jack, what scandals? What repu-
You shall see, Molly Oh the aIlega-
tions may be false, one and all For what
! know Sam may have the wings of an
archangel and Mr. Purden may be al
ready overripe for the new Jerusalem.
But you shall read.
/ offered her the letters. NO" she said.
Read them yourself
The first. then is from my fathers
first cousin, Zachary Pentecrosse, a book
seller in Little Britain, which is a part
of London. He is. / believe, respectable,
God fearing man. You will observe that
he does not Vouch for the truth of his
| then read at length the letter which
you have already heard.
What do you think, Molly
Il don't know what to think. Is the
world so Wicked?"
Here is another letter, concerning the !
Rev. Benjamin Purden. Observe that this
is another and an independent witness" "
SO / read the second letter, which you
have also read
What do you think of this worthy gen
tlernan, Molly?'
"Oh, Jack, / am overwhelmed! Tell me
more, what it means"
1T means. my dear, that a ruined game !
ster thought to find an heiress who would |
know nothing of his tarnished reputation. |
She must be rich. MI he wanted was her /
money She must not have her money !
tied up; il must be all in her own hands, !
to do with 1t what he chose-that is to |
say, to dissipate and waste it in riot and |
raking and gambling"
Lord Fylindaie? Jack, think Of his !
face. think of his manners, Are they /
such as you would expect in q rake?'
There are perhaps different kinds of /
raltes. Tom Rising would spend the night |
drinking and Rawlings songs. Another |
kind would practice wickedness as eager
~. but with more politeness. What do l !
know of such men? Certain | am that
Lord Fylinddle would not scour the
streets and play the Mohawk. but that he
1as found other vices more pleasant and
more. apparently, polite is quite possible"
Il don't understand Jack. All the gen.
tlemen like Mr.. Rising drink and sing.
Do all gentlemen who do not drink prac-
ice other Vices?"
''Well, Molly, you have seen the vicar
taste a glass of wine He will roll it in