Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-08-09
Copyright, 1900. by Sir Walter Beasant.
CHAPTER II.

the Earl Of Fylingdale
was tolerably filed
with q mixed company attending his
levce.
Soon after 12 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 30. a 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 ungainly: his figure manly. 1t 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 rs yet 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. be might
pass If he chose for person Of the
most rigid and even austere virtue.
This. as ! 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 prohigate
life. for. TO confess the truth ut the
very beginning and not to attempt con-
cealment or to suffer q false belief as
regards this nobleman. he was nothing
better than Il cold blooded. pitiless. self
ish libertine. a rake and voluptuary,
one who knew and obeyed no laws
save the laws Of $50 called) honor.
These laws allow q man TO waste his
fortune at the gaming table, to ruin
contidlnS 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 be ready to
fight whenever the occasion calls for
his sword and the quarrel seems OF suf-
ficient Importance. Lord Fylingdale.
however. was not amor 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.
| have said that his face was proud.
There was not. believe, any man liv-
ing In the, whole world who could COM
pare with Lord Fylingdale 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 embroid-
cred waistcoat, his white silk stock
ings. his lace of ruff1es 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 bis
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 few words.
received few words in reply and re.
tired. each apparently we'll pleased.
: promises cost nothing. To the poet
~i.o asked for subscription and prof
fered a dedication my lord promised
the former. accepted the latter and
added few words Of praise and good
wishes. But the subscription was nev-
er paid. and the dedication was after
ward altered so far as the superscrip-
ton to another noble patron. To the
clergyman who asked for country
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 re-
membrance. 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 feed
on promises. 1t is like opening your
mouth to drink the wind. But twas
all they got.
When they were gone, Lord Fyling-
dale looked round the room. In the
window stood, dangling a cane from
his wrist, q gentleman dressed in the
highest and the latest fashion.
Yet when one looked more closely 1t
was seen that this gallant exterior ar
rayed an ancient gentleman whose
years were proclaimed by the sharpen
Ing Of his features, the wrinkles of his
feet, the crows feet round his eyes
and his bending shoulders, which he
continually endeavored to set square
and upright. Hat in one hand and
snuffbox in the other, he amhlcd to-
ward his lordship on tiptoe, which hap
pened just then to be the fashionable
gait.
"Thy servant, Sir Harry" My lord
offered him his hand with condescen-
sion. 1T warns my heart to see thee.
Therefore sent a letter. Briefly. Sir
Harry wouldSt do me 4 ServiceT