The times., 1901-04-07
CHAPTER II.
NnnI rom

ing the ante-room of the townhouse of
the right honorable the Earl of Flying
dale was tolerably filled with a mixed
company attending his levee.
Soon after u o'clock the doors of the
private apartments were thrown open, and
his lordship appeared wearing the look OF
dignity and proud condescension combined
which well became the star he wore and
the ancient title which he had inherited.
His age was about thirty, time of HE
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 vet swelled 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 a per
son of the most rigid and even austere
virtue
This, as l have said, was considered re-
markabie by his friends, most OF whom
were already stamped on face and fea-
ture and figure with the outward and Vls-
ible tokens of a profigate life, for, to con-
fess the truth at the very beginning ana
not to attempt concealment or to suffer
false belief as regards this nobleman, he
was nothing better than cOld-blooded,
pitiless selfish libertiue, rake and Vo-
luptuary. one who knew and obeyed no
laws save the laws of $50 called honor.
These laws allow a man to waste his for
III. min, iJ-
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-
tance. Lord FyIingdale, 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, / believe, any man living
in the whole world who could compare
with Lord Fylingdale 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 Iu-
cifer looked round upon his companions.
fallen as they were and in the depths OF
hopeless ruin.
He was dressed in 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 crayat, his gold buckles, his
laced hat carried under his arm, his Jew
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 dedlcd-
ton my lord promised the former, accept
ed the latter, and added few words oil
praise and good wishes. But the sub
scription was never paid, and the dedlca-
tion was afterward altered, so far as the
Superscription to another noble patron.
To the clergyman who asked for coun-
try living then vacant my lord promised
the most kindly consideration and bade
him write his request and send it him By
letter for better assurance of remem-
brance. To the officer he promised his
company as only due to gallantry and
military skill. To the place hunter he
promised a post far beyond the dreams
and the hopes of the suppliant. Nothing
more came Of it to either.
The company grew thin One after the
other the Suitors Withdrew TO 1eed on
promises. 1t is like opening your mouth
to drink the wind. But twas all they
When they were gone Lord Fylingdale
looked round the room. In the window
gentleman dressed in the highest and lat
est fashion.
Yet when one looked more closely it
was seen that this gallant exterior array
ed an ancient gentleman whose years
were proclaimed by the sharpening of his
features. the wrinkles of his feet, the
crows feet round his eyes. and his bend
ing shoulders. which he continually en-
deavored to set square and upright. Hat
In one hand and snuffboX in the other, he
ambled toward his lordship on tiptoe,
which happened just then to be the fash
ionable gait.
THY servant. Sir Harry" Ny lord Of
fered him his hand with condescension.
1T warns my heart to see thee. There
fore / sent letter Briefly, Sir Harry,
wouldst do me a service?
Il am always at your lordship's com
mands. This. l hope, have proved.
Then Sir Harry, this is the case. 1t is
1 may have to pay a visit to a country
town, town of tarpaulins and traders,
not a town of fashion Sir Harry shud-
dered. Patience. my friend. / know not
how long l shall endure the barbaric
company. But | must go. There are rea-
me whisper. reasons OF state.
important secrets-which call me there
Sir Harry smiled and looked fncredulouS.
Il want on the spot a friend Sir Harry
smiled again. as one who began TO under
stand-'a friend who would appear 10 be
a stranger. Would you, therefore, play
tie part of such a friend?"
II viii do whatever your lOrdship com
mands. Yet 20 leave town at this sea-
son''-it was then the month of April
the assembly, the park, the card table |
the society Of the ladies' 1t is possible
that the Lady Anastasia may go there |
She will. as usual, keep the bank if she
does go
The old beaus face cleared, whether in
Of Lady Anastasia's society
or her card table I know not.
MY character, Sir Harry, will be in |
your hands. l leave it there confidently.
For reasons-for reasons of state-it |
should be a character Of"
Il understand. Your lordship is a mod
so we understand. My secretary will |
converse with thee further on the point |
Of expenditure
Sir Harry retired bowling and twisting |
his body something ike an ape.
Then u gentleman in scarlet presented |
himself.
Your Iordshlp's most obedient." he
said. with scdnt courtesy. Il come in |
obedience TO your letter Of command"
Colonel, you viii hold yourself in readi- |
ness 10 go into the country. There will be |
please to Sir Harry Malyus or TO anyone |
else whom my secretary viii point out to !
you. Perhaps you may have to receive a |
from me. We are stran- !
gers if-IitfllDEi- anu ! am liV SAlIIDIti. |
though / sometimes take card And |
he too, retired.
There remained one suitor He was a |
clergyman dressed i'm q fine silk cassock |
with bands Of the whitest and a noble |
wig Of the order ecclesiastic / doubt if |
the archbishop himself had a firer.
Good. my lord" he said. Il am as |
usual. Il suppliant The rectory of st. |
Leonard le Size. lowry. in the city. is |
low vacant. With my small benefices in |
he country It would suit me hugely. |
word from your lordship to the lord |
ic in, hc s{f Ia,