Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-29

was tolcrably filled
with a mixed company attending his
levee.
Soon after II o'clock the doors Of the
private apartments were thrown open,
and his lordship appeared wearing the
look Of dignity and proud condescen-
sion combined which we'll became the
star he wore and the ancient title
which he had inherited. His age was
about 80, time Of life when there lin
ger some remains Of youth and the Sc
rious 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 ungain!y; his figure manly. It was
remarkable among those who knew
him intimately that there was as yet
no sign of luxurious living on face and
figure. He was not as yet swelled out
with wine and punch: his neck was
still slender, his face pale, without any
tclltale marks of wine and debauchery.
So far as appearance goes, he might
pass II he chose for a person Of the
most rigid and even austere virtue.
This, as I have said, was considered
remarkable by his friends most Of
whom were already stamped on face
and feature and figure with the out
ward and visible tokens of a profllgate
life. for. to confess the truth at the
very beginning and not to attempt con-
cealment or to suffer false belief as
regards this noblcman. he was nothing
better than a cold blooded. pitilcss. self
ish lihertine. a rake and n voluptuary.
one who knew and obcyed no laws
save the laws of $50 called honor.
These laws allow man to waste his
fortune at the gaming table. to ruin
cOnfiding girls. to spend his time with
rake companions in drink and riot
and debauchery Of all kinds He must,
however, pay his gambling debts; he
| must not cheat at cards: he must be
polite in speech; he must he ready to
fight whenever the occasion calls for
his sword and the quarrel seems Of suf-
ficient importance. Lord Fylingdale.
however, was not among those who
found his chief pleasure securing the
streets and in mad riot. You shall
learn In due course what forms of
pleasure chiefly attracted him.
l have said that his face was proud.
There was not. | believe. any man lv-
Ing in the whole world who could COM
pare with Lord Fylingdalc for pride.
An overwhelming pride sat upon his
brow, was proclaimed by his eyes and
was betrayed by his carriage With
such pride did Lucifer look round upon
his companions, fallen as they were
and in the depths Of hopeless ruin.
He was dressed in a manner becom-
Ing to his rank Need we dwell upon
his coat OF purple velvet. his cmhrod-
FRED waistcoat, his white silk stock
ings. his lace Of ruffics and cravat. his
gold buckles and his gold clocks, his
laced hat carried under his arm. his
jeweled 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 suit
ors that his power was equal to both
pride and wealth together.
The levee began. One after the other
stepped up to him. spoke n few words,
rec"ived few words in reply and re-
tired, each apparently well pleased,
Tor promises cost nothing. TO the poet
who asked for subscription and prof
fered dedication my lord promised
the former. accepted the latter and
added few words OF praise and good
wishes. But the subscription was new
or paid. and the dedication was after
ward altered so far as the supcrscrip-
ton to another noble patron. TO the
clergyman who asked for a country
living then vacant my lord promised
the most kindly consideration and badc
him write his request and send it him
by letter for better assurance OF re-
membrance. To the officer he promised
his company as only due to rallantry
and military skill. To the place hunter
he promised 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 feed
on promises. 1t is like opening your
mouth to drink the wind. But twas
dh 'll'N Sbl
When they were gone, Lord Flying
dale looked round the room. In the
window stood. dangling n cane from
his wrist, a gentleman dressed in the
highest and the latest fashion.
Yet when one looked more closely il
was seen that this gallant exterior ar
rayed an ancient gentleman whose
years were proclaimed by the sharpen
ina of his features. the wrinkles of his
feet, the crows feet round his eyes
and his bending shoulders. which he
continually endcavorcd to set square
and upright. Hat in one hand and
snuffhoX in the other. he amblrd to-
ward his lordship on tiptoc, which hap
pened just then to be the fashionable
gait.
THY servant Sir Harry" My lord
offered him his hand with condcscon-
sion. 1T warns my heart to see thee.
Therefore | sent letter. Briefly, Sir
Harry, wouldst do me n service"
IL am always at your lordship's com
mands. This | hope, have proved"
"Then, Sir Harry, this is the case.
1t is probable that for certain private
reasons | may have to pay visit to n
country town, town of tarpaulins and
traders, not a town of fashion" Sir
Harry shuddered patience. my
friend. | know not how long | shall
endure the barbariC COmpany Rut I