The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-05
CHAPTER XI.
A prSbrrE

! II was as one VINO carries a respite 10
a man already in the,csrt and on his wa,
to Tyburn or was az one who himself re
ceives respite on the way to Tyburn, fol
! if the charges in those letters were tru,
there could be Dc ubt as to the result of al
| enquiry Nor could there be any dOub
| that Lord Fylingdale in such case would
| refuse an enquiry. | ran, therefore, as il
| everything depended on my speed, and
arrived breathless.
Molly was alone, walking about the gar.
| den restlessly. The sun was now set. bu
| the glow of the sky fingered, and her face
| was flushed in the western light. Jack,
! she cried. Il 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 not2 Is my lord ill?''
Not that l know of. but you will not
be married tomorrow morning.?
You talk in riddles. Jack"
Would you like to put off the wedding,
Molly?"
Alas. if could put it off altogether! /
am downhearted over it, Jack. 1t weighs
| me down like lead. But there is no es-
cape"
| of esca pea respite at least-unlesS 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 bench. Molly.
| said, you hold the private character of
Lord Fylingdaie in the highest esteem, do
you not?'
There is on better man living This
makes me ashamed of being so 10th to
marry him.
well. 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,
81 nj n ~
account. 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 Maiyns, who as
sured us that his lordship Is thought to
be too virtuous for the world of fashion.
He is himself. like the parson' hne
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" | lusged 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 allega-
tions may he false, one and all For what
| know Sam may have the wings of an
archangel. and Mr. Purdeu 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, book
seller in Little Britain. which is part
of London. He is, | believe. respectable,
God fearing man. You will observe that
he does not VOuch for the truth of his
information"
then read at length the letter which
you have already heard.
What do you think, Molly2
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 l read the second letter, which you
have also read.
What do you think of this worthy gen
tleman. Molly?"
oh, Jack, | am overwhelmed. Tell me
more what it means"
1t means. my dear. that n ruined game
ster thought to find an heiress who would
know nothing of his furnished reputation.
She must be rich. All he wanted was her
money. She must not have her money
tied up; II must be all in her own hands,
to do with ii what he chose-that is to
say. to dissipate and waste it in riot and
raking and gambling"
Lord Fylindale? Jack think of his
face. think of his manners. Are they
such as you would expect in rake?"
There are perhaps different kinds of
rakes. Tom Rising would spend the night
drinking and Rawlings song. Another
kind would practice wickedness as eager
ly, but with more politeness. What do |
know of such men? Certain | am that
Lord Eylindale would not scour the
streets and play the Mohawk, but that he
has found other vices more pleasant and
more. apparently. polite is quite possible"
II don't understand. Jack. All the gen.
tlemen like Mr.. Rising drink and sing.
Do all gentlemen who do not drink prac-
tice other vices?"
We'll, Molly. you have seen the vicar
taste glass of wine. He VIII roll 1t in