The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-05-11
CHAPTER vi.
THE RESOLUTION OF MR.. LAW.


The problems of England's troubled
finances, the questions of the coinage,
the gossip of the kings ENVIRONMENTS
with the parliament-tlese things, il
may again be said, occupied Laws
mind far less than the question of
gaining audience with his fair rescuer
of the morn at Sadler's Wells. This
was the puzzle which, resolve as ne
might, not even his audacious wit was
able to provide with plausible solution.
He pondered the matter in hundred
different pleasing phases as he passed
from the Bank of England through
the crowded streets of London, and so
at length found himself at the shabby
little lodgings in Bradwell street, where
he and his brother had, for the time
taken up quarters.
'It starteth we'll, my boy" cried he.
gaily, to his brother, when at length
he had found his way up the narrow
stair into the little room, and discov-
cred Will patiently awaiting his re-
turn. ALREADY two of my errands are
well acquit."
''You have, then, sent the letters to
our goldsmith here?" said Will.
"Now, to say the truth, had not
thought of that. But letters of credit
why need we trouble over such mat
ters? These English are but babes
Give me night or so at the Green
Lion, and We'll need no letters of cred
it, Will. Look at your purse, boy.
since you are the thrifty cashier of our
frm!"
II like not this sort of gold" said
Will Law, setting his lips judicially
"Yet it seems to purchase we'll as
any," said the other, indifferently.
But there must be serious purpose !"
'Know then" cried the elder man,
suddenly, that l have found such
serious purpose!"
The speaker stood looking out of the
window, his eye fixed out across the
roofs Of London. There had now
fallen from his face all trace of levity,
and into his eye and mouth there
came reflex of the decision of his
speech. Will stirred in his chair, and
at length the two faced each other.
"And pray, what is this sudden reso-
luton, Jack?" said Will Law.
IF l must tell you, it is simply this:
l am resolved to marry the girl we
met at Sadler's Wells"
'HOW-what-?"
Eyes, how-what-?" repeated his
brother mockingly.
But would ask, which?"
There was but one" said John Law.
"The tall one, with the brassy- brown,
copper-red hair, the bright blue eye,
and the figure of queen. Her like is
not in all the world!"
"Methought twas more like to be the
other" replied Will. yet you-how
dare you think thus of that lady 2
Why, Jack. twas the Lady Catharine
Knollys, sister to the Earl of Ban
bury!"
Law did not at once make any an
swer. He turned to the dressing table
and began making such shift as he
could to better his appearance.
WILL said he at length, you are,
as ever, babe and sucking. quite
despair of you. 'Twould serve no
purpose to explain anything to SO faint
heart as yours. But you may come
with me-"
And whither?"
Whittier? Where else, than to the
residence of this same lady! Look
you, have learned this. She is, as
you say, the sister of the Earl of Ban
bury, ana is for the time at the town
house in Knightwell Terrace More
over, if that news be worth while to
SO white-feathered a swain as your
self, the other damsel, the dark one.
the one with the mighty pretty little
foot-lives there for the time as the
guest of Lady Catharine. They are
rated thick as peas in a pod. True, we
are strangers, yet l venture we have
made a beginning, and if we venture
more we may better the beginning
Should falter, when luck gave me the
run of trente ct lie va but yesterday I?
Nay, ever follow fortune hard, and
she waits for you"