Beauchamp; or, The Error.

by G. P. R. James

  CHAPTER XXXI.

  All was dismay and confusion in the house of Sir John Slingsby, when,after having galloped across the park, without heeding bridle-paths orcarriage-roads, Beauchamp drew hit rein at the door. No servant cameto take the horse, for all were busy within, though, busy with what,would have been difficult to say. The only thing they had to be busywith was their own consternation; for there was no packing up fordeparture, no inventories, no arrangements in progress; and yet not anattendant appeared, except through the double glass-doors, where aknot was to be seen assembled in the inner vestibule, who never turneda look towards the terrace before the house. One excuse, perhaps,might be that there were so many people arriving, that a new comercould attract no attention. It seemed as if a general call had beenmade upon Tarningham, to attend and witness the disgrace anddiscomfort of the family. A number of tradesmen were gathered beforethe doors, conversing together in low tones, and with gloomy faces;and there was a post-chaise, besides a gig, a saddle-horse, and atax-cart or two. Beauchamp thought the spectacle somewhat odd; for itseemed to him, notwithstanding all he knew of the gossipingpropensities of small places, that the news of Sir John Slingsby'smisfortunes must have spread with marvellous rapidity. But he knew notMr. Wharton, nor could conceive the policy which should induce a man,who had chosen his moment for consummating a long prepared scheme forstripping another of all his worldly wealth, to complicate hisdifficulties by every means, so as to render the bonds he had castround him indissoluble.

  "Here, take my horse," he said, addressing the sullen-lookingpostillion who stood behind the chaise; and when the man obeyed,civilly enough, Beauchamp approached a hale-looking man, like agrazier, and inquired, "What is all this?"

  "Why, Sir," replied the man, who had often seen his interrogator inTarningham, "Mr. Wharton's clerk told me that there was an executiongoing to be put in, so I came up to see if I could get my bill. Butthe lawyer was beforehand with us; and the matter is not so much, onlyforty pound or so, and I did not think it worth while, when I foundhow matters are going, to trouble the hearty old gentleman, who hasspent a deal o' money with us all in his day."

  "You seem a very respectable man," said Beauchamp, calmly, but stillsomewhat moved, "and you shall not lose by your conduct. You, Sir,"and he turned to another, "I think you are the stationer atTarningham--is yours the same errand, and on the same information?"

  "Yes, Sir," answered the person he addressed, "one of Mr. Wharton'syoung men came down and told me; but I think, with my neighbourGroves, that we should behave handsome."

  "I see the whole matter," said Beauchamp, speaking rather to himselfthan those around. "You can wait a little, gentlemen? I think Sir Johncan pay you all without inconvenience, though he is a careless man,and his affairs may not be quite in order."

  "They say Mr. Wharton has arrested him, Sir," said a little man, witha thin, small voice.

  "I will go in and see," replied Beauchamp, with a smile. "If any ofyou could contrive to go or send down to Tarningham, and say to Mr.Bacon, the attorney, that Lord Lenham would be glad to see him hereimmediately, you would oblige me. Tell him to lose not a moment."

  "I'll go, in a jiffey," cried the stout man, jumping into a tax-cart."Who did you say, my lord?"

  "Lord Lenham," answered Beauchamp; "he will know who you mean;" andturning round, he walked into the house.

  The servants grouped themselves differently at his appearance, andbowed low, the butler venturing to say,

  "I am glad you have come, Sir."

  "Where is your master?" asked Beauchamp.

  "In the library, Sir," replied the man, "with a number of them. It isa sad time, Sir, 'specially for my poor young lady."

  The man walked on before, and opened the library door; Beauchampfollowed quickly; and certainly the sight which that room presentedwas a painful one. Mrs. Clifford sat near one of the windows, thepicture of despair; Isabella was seated near the table, with her eyesburied in her hands, and the rich curls of her beautiful hair fallingover her face. Mary was bending down to speak to her; grief in herlovely face, but yet as calm and composed as usual. Old Sir John was alittle in advance, with two bailiffs standing near--not the same whohad been there earlier in the morning--and his valet behind him,helping him to put on his great coat, while Mr. Wharton stood at theother side of the large library-table, with a smile upon his lip, afrown upon his brow, a sparkling black eye, and a double degree of redin one of the cheeks, though the other looked somewhat pale. Two orthree men, whose business there and ordinary functions were notapparent at the moment, made up the rest of the company.

  Sir John Slingsby had one arm in the sleeve of his great coat, and wasthrusting angrily and ineffectually at the garment, to get the otherin also, speaking all the time in a furious tone, with his face turnedto Mr. Wharton.

  "I tell you, Wharton, you are a d--d scoundrel," he said, "anungentlemanlike blackguard. You have swindled me out of thousands, andyou know it; and now, without giving me a hint, you come upon me inthis way."

  "You are angry, Sir John, you are angry," said Mr. Wharton, in a sweettone. "It is as unpleasant to me as to you, I can assure you; but whenI heard that Mr. Wittingham had issued process, I was compelled,however unwillingly, to take care of myself and my clients. You know Itold you a month ago it could not go on any longer; so you cannot sayyou had not notice."

  The old baronet was about to pour upon him a new volley ofobjurgations, thrusting manfully at the sleeve of his coat all thetime, when suddenly his eye rested upon Beauchamp and he stopped,turning a little pale, for the presence of that gentleman at such amoment both surprised and pained him. Mary whispered a word to hercousin, however, and Isabella starting up with the tears in her eyes,and a glow upon her cheeks, held out her hand to him exclaiming, "Oh,thank you, thank you! Dr. Miles was not to be found," she added, in awhisper, "or I would not have sent."

  Beauchamp smiled and shook his head half reproachfully, and Sir Johnrecovering himself took his hand saying, "Ah, Beauchamp, you have comeat an awkward time. Can't ask you to dinner to-day, my dear Sir, forthe house is in the hands of the myrmidons of the law, and I mustaway, they tell me. It's a bad job, I am afraid."

  "Nevertheless I intend to dine with you here, Sir John," answeredBeauchamp, laughing and shaking the baronet's hand warmly, "so you hadbetter take off your great coat."

  "I beg your pardon, Sir," said Mr. Wharton, taking a step forward,"but I am afraid Sir John Slingsby cannot remain with you at present.Business has been too long delayed already by the folly of the officerwho thought fit--"

  "To act like a man of some consideration and feeling I suppose, Sir,"said Beauchamp, eyeing him from head to foot with a calm, cold,withering look. "You are Mr. Wharton the attorney I imagine, of whom Ihave heard so much in regard to several transactions soon to beinquired into."

  "My name is Wharton, Sir; yes, my name is Wharton," answered thesolicitor in a sharp, fierce tone, "and I insist that you do notinterrupt the operation of the law."

  "The operation of the law I shall not interrupt," replied Beauchamp,"but the operations of the lawyer I certainly shall."

  "He's a nabob," said Sir John Slingsby to his niece in a low, laughingvoice, "yes, you are quite right, Beauchamp, this is Mr. Wharton, theattorney, calling himself esquire, and a greater scoundrel does notlive between the four seas. He has cheated me through thick and thin,and now wants by coming upon me all in a moment to get possession ofmy property as he has done with others before now."

  "If such are his intentions he will find himself mistaken," answeredBeauchamp; "but now, Sir John, take off your coat again, and we willto business. I think the ladies may as well leave us, however.--Besatisfied, my dear Madam," he continued, speaking to Mrs. Clifford,who had risen and come a little forward, "be satisfied, MissSlingsby--all this matter will be easily arranged, and Sir John and Iwill join you in the drawing-room in an hour."

  While Beauchamp had been speaking these few words, Mr. Wharton hadbeen conversing with rapid utteran
ce, but in a low voice, with one ofthe men present, who seemed to be the superior sheriff's officer, andas soon as the gentleman ceased he exclaimed. "Well, Sir, as you thinkthe whole matter can be so easily arranged I shall leave you toarrange it."

  "Excuse me, Mr. Wharton," said Beauchamp, coolly, "you will be goodenough to stay. We shall want you for certain receipts, and, perhaps,"he added with a smile, "for some good legal advice till my ownsolicitor comes, whom I expect in about half an hour."

  "My receipts can be soon given," said Mr. Wharton, a good dealstaggered and alarmed by Mr. Beauchamp's calm tone, and his allusionto his solicitor; "but I can tell you that if you think that is allyou will have to do you are mistaken. The house is filled withcreditors."

  "Gathered together by Mr. Wharton, the attorney, for the purpose ofoverwhelming a gentleman whom he sought to ruin," answered Beauchamp."I am aware of all that, Sir. Your proceedings have been watched, andI am informed of almost every step you have taken for the last month.I dare say, however, we shall find means of satisfying all who haveany just claims."

  Isabella had lingered at the door after her aunt and cousin had passedout, and now hastily turning back, she placed a little packet she hadheld tight in her hand, in that of Beauchamp, saying, in a low voice,"Here is more than six thousand pounds, left from what kind, good, NedHayward gave last night. The other debts are not large, but this man'sclaim is frightful."

  She spoke in a tone of alarm, but Beauchamp hastened to relieve her,replying, "Never fear, never fear! The claim must be investigated, butall that is just shall be paid. Leave us, and make your mind easy,dear Miss Slingsby."

  "I really cannot waste my time here," said Mr. Wharton, as the younglady left the room, "I have important business to attend to and themagistrates to meet at eleven, Mr. What's-your-name."

  "My name, Sir, is Charles Beauchamp St. Leger, Viscount Lenham,"answered Beauchamp, "and I am afraid the magistrates must dispensewith your company to-day, Mr. Wharton. You cannot carry this businessthrough, Sir, in the same manner that you did that of my poor uncle,Mr. St. Leger Moreton. So now make up your mind at once, Sir, toremain here till the whole of this unpleasant business which you havestirred up against Sir John Slingsby be brought to a conclusion, fordepend upon it I will not let you go till such is the case."

  Mr. Wharton's face had turned paler and paler, till the carbuncles, ofwhich it did not possess a few, remained alone in their glory; but hewas an irritable and fiery man up to a certain point, and he repliedin a bold tone, "Oh ho, my lord! Do you think because you happen to bea peer who has been skulking about the country under an alias, thatyou can come down and brow-beat us country gentlemen at yourpleasure?"

  "I never attempt to brow-beat a gentleman," replied Beauchamp, layinga particular emphasis on the last word, which called up a veryunpleasant grin upon the faces of two or three of the men present,"nor do I brow-beat you, Mr. Wharton; but I simply insist upon yourstaying till the business which brought you here is concluded. Youhave no right to put Sir John Slingby in an unpleasant position, andthen leave him there when your presence is wanted to relieve him fromit."

  "He has a ducking in the horse-pond, too, to go through," cried SirJohn Slingsby, "such as we gave the other bailiff he sent up thismorning. He must wait, he must wait for all the honours," and turninground with a laugh the worthy baronet whispered a word or two to hisvalet, who remained in the room.

  "I will take care, Sir John," said the man, and was moving towards thedoor; but Beauchamp interposed, saying,

  "No, no, we must have no violence. Only order the servants not to letthis man pass out till I have done with him;--and now to business. SirJohn, if you will take the end of the table I will sit here. Mr.Wharton will place himself there, and the matter will soon bearranged. Ring that bell, Sir."

  The bailiff to whom he spoke obeyed in an instant; Sir John Slingsbytook a chair at the head of the table, and Mr. Wharton seeing no helpfor it, seated himself where Beauchamp had pointed, turning his faceto the window with an indifferent air, as if the business about totake place was no concern of his.

  "Now, Sir, what is it you want here?" asked Beauchamp, addressing oneof the officers.

  "I hold a writ against Sir John Slingsby for twenty-two thousand threehundred pounds," said the man, "at the suit of Joseph Wharton, Esq."

  "Well, Sir, stand back," said Beauchamp, "we will deal with youpresently.--And you, Sir?" he continued, speaking to another stoutbroad-set, black-faced man.

  This proved to be an officer put in execution upon a second bond for asum of seven thousand pounds at the suit of the same person. He alsowas directed to stand back, Beauchamp saying, "Upon these actions wewill give bail, as they must be tried.--You, Sir, there at the end ofthe table, what do you want?"

  "Why, please you my lord, it's only my bill for a hundred andseventeen pounds or thereabouts, for repairs to the stables andoffices. If it had not been Mr. Wharton told me I should not get mymoney if I did not apply at once, I should never have thought oftroubling Sir John."

  Beauchamp's eye fixed sternly upon the attorney, who exclaimed with aquivering lip, "Did you not consult me, Sir? Was I not bound to giveyou a just opinion?"

  "I never said a word to nobody," replied the man, "till I met you inthe street, and you told me Mr. Wittingham was going to arrest SirJohn."

  "Really, my lord, this is trifling," said Mr. Wharton. "I ask is SirJohn Slingsby ready to discharge his heavy debt to me? If he is, lethim do it and I go. If not he must, I fear, go to prison."

  "He is quite ready, Sir, to discharge every just debt this instant,"replied Beauchamp, "but we doubt that your's is just, Sir, andtherefore we will deal first with those that are certainly honest. SirJohn," he continued pointing to a servant who had come in, "will youorder Dr. Miles to be sent for.--Now, my good man, you shall have acheque for your money," and taking out his cheque-book he wrote anorder for the amount, taking the builder's name and statement from hisown lips.

  Another man was then called forward, and the same course pursued,Beauchamp proceeding quietly, although he saw Mr. Wharton rise andenter into eager consultation with the bailiffs.

  He was not allowed to go on long without interruption, for after whatseemed some urgent remonstrances on the part of Mr. Wharton, and agood deal of resistance on the part of the sheriff's officer, thelatter stepped forward, saying, "I really, my lord, cannot wait anylonger, and I do not see any good of it; for Sir John being in mycustody, and not knowing what detainers may be lodged against him, abail bond cannot be drawn till we see."

  The man spoke civilly, and with an evident respect for rank, andBeauchamp answered calmly, "Your observation is a very just one, mygood friend. I have only to answer however that I am ready to givebail to any amount which you may think necessary to secure thesheriff, in which Dr. Miles will join me I am sure as soon as hearrives."

  "It is a heavy sum, Sir," said the bailiff, doubtfully.

  "True," answered Beauchamp, "and moreover you do not know, except frommy own word, who I am, nor that I am in a position to give anavailable bond. It is for that very reason that I wish you to delaytill my solicitor and Dr. Miles arrive, when I assure you, upon myword of honour, that you shall have every satisfaction. The sumrequired would be more than met by money of mine in the Tarninghambank, as you will see by that receipt, if I thought fit to pay thedebt claimed by Mr. Wharton at once, which I do not. The bond on whichthe writ has been taken out is, you tell me, for twenty-two thousandthree hundred pounds. Here you see are sixty-five thousand pounds paidon my account into the Tarningham bank."

  "But there is another bond for seven thousand five hundred pounds onwhich execution has issued," said Mr. Wharton.

  "Exactly so," said Beauchamp, whose thoughts were very rapid, "and theway I intend to deal with that matter is as follows: We will pay theamount of that bond under protest as a matter of account, reservingthis other claim for twenty-three thousand pounds to try the questionsthat may arise, such as consideration, usury, &c."
r />   Mr. Wharton bit his lip. He saw that he had made one mistake. Hefeared that he might have made more; for knowing that Sir JohnSlingsby had little acquaintance with law, and an invincible objectionto lawyers, excepting when he wanted to borrow money, he had gone onwith somewhat rash confidence in his own powers of over-reaching.However he put a bold face upon the matter, saying, "That won't do,Sir, that won't do, my Lord. You seem to have a smattering of the law,but you will find that all accounts have been examined and passed. Nocourt in Christendom will open that question again."

  "We will see," replied Beauchamp, quietly.

  "Then there is the mortgage," said Mr. Wharton.

  "That will be dealt with as we shall be advised," rejoined the youngnobleman; "the matter of the mortgage has nothing to do with thebusiness before us; and moreover, Mr. Wharton, I will beg you not tointerfere here till you are called upon. Though a lawyer you areexactly in the same position as any other creditor, and in taking outthis writ, you have given all power into other hands. If I satisfy thesheriff that he has sufficient security according to law, for theappearance of Sir John Slingsby, that is all that is necessary; and Iwill tell you, Sir, that sooner than see a course, which is certainlyunhandsome, and which I suspect to be villanous, successful against myfriend, even so far as to remove him from his own house for an hour, Iwould pay the amount of all claims upon him to the sheriff underprotest. I have the means of doing so at command this moment, andtherefore be very sure that your arts will avail you nothing--Sir, Iunderstand you," he added sternly, "the property upon which you haveadvanced a pitiful sum of fifty thousand pounds, and by accumulatinginterest upon interest, and costs upon costs, have raised the debt tonearly eighty thousand, is worth, at least, two hundred. The bait wastempting, Sir; but beware that in snapping at it too eagerly, you havenot got the hook in your jaws. There is such a thing, Sir, as strikingfraudulent attorneys off the roll, and, at all events be sure, thathowever pleasant it might be to possess this estate, you will neverhave it."

  "I do not want it, Sir," cried Mr. Wharton, half mad with rage andvexation, "I would not have it if you would give it to me."

  Beauchamp laughed, and Sir John Slingsby shouted; while all the otherpersons in the room, not excepting bailiffs, tittered, withoutdisguise, to the lawyer's sad discomfort.

  "Ah! here comes Miles," exclaimed Sir John, "and Mr. Undersheriff too,by Jove. That is lucky; the matter will soon be settled now.--How areyou doctor, how are you Mr. Sheriff? you are the very man we wanted."

  "I am very sorry for all this business, Sir John," said a tallgentlemanlike person, whom he had addressed; "but having business atTarningham, and hearing of the unfortunate occurrence by the way, Ithought it better to come up myself, as I felt sure the action couldbe bailed."

  "And so it can," cried Sir John Slingsby, "here stands bail ready inthe person of my friend, Lord Lenham; but that pitiful littlesnivelling rogue, Wharton, objects."

  "Ah! good day, Wharton," said the sheriff, drily, "why do you object?"

  "No, I do not object," replied the attorney, "the men here, Bulstrodeand the rest, thought there might be detainers, and the processhaving--"

  "No, no!" cried the officer, "we thought nothing about it, till youtold us to refuse the bail till we had searched the office. I've ashrewd guess, Mr. Wharton, that you have got up all the creditors herewho could lodge detainers and his lordship offers to pay all honestdebts at once, and to put in bail against yours."

  "What do you mean by that?" exclaimed Wharton, furiously; but thesheriff interfered, and at the same time Doctor Miles and Beauchamp,who had been speaking together, turned round, and the clergymanintroduced his young friend to the officer of the county by the titleof Viscount Lenham.

  "This matter, I think, can be settled with you, Sir, in a few words,"said Beauchamp, "I do not choose to see my friend, Sir John Slingsby,wronged. It so happens, that intending to buy an estate in thisneighbourhood, I have had a considerable sum paid lately intoTarningham Bank. I am ready to give a bail bond for any sum you maythink necessary to your own security, that Sir John appears to theaction of Mr. Wharton, or anyone else; or to pay into your hands anysum claimed, under protest. I think, in these circumstances, there canbe no need of removing Sir John from his own house."

  "Not in the least," said the sheriff, "bail will be quite sufficient,and can be given here quite as well as ten miles hence."

  "But, my dear Sir," exclaimed Mr. Wharton, "there may be detainers foraught you know, and to a large amount."

  "I will take my chance of that, Wharton," replied the undersheriff,"there were none when I came away, for I had occasion to examine thebooks. It is not usual to lodge detainers till caption has beenactually effected, I think, my good friend."

  "I think your proceeding very rash and irregular, Sir," replied thelawyer, nettled, "and I should certainly object, if--"

  "Pooh, pooh!" cried the sheriff, "I am the best judge of my ownaffairs; and you are meddling with what does not concern you, Mr.Wharton. If I take a sufficient bail for Sir John's appearance to youraction, that is all yon have to do with, and perhaps more; so let ushave no more of this; for I will not be meddled with in the dischargeof my duties. You tried this once before, Sir, and did not find itsucceed."

  "Well, Sir, take your own way, take your own way!" cried Mr. Wharton,in a sharp tone; "the sum is large; if the bail be not good, you areresponsible. A gentleman who goes about the country under one falsename, may very well take another. I do not mean to say that it is so;but this gentleman who calls himself Lord Lenham now, and calledhimself Mr. Beauchamp a few days ago, may be the greatest swindler inEngland for aught any of us know."

  "Swindlers do not usually have large sums at the bankers," said Dr.Miles, drily; "that is to say, Mr. Wharton, not those swindlers whomthe law is willing to take hold of, though I have known many rich menwho swindled a good deal within the law, especially in yourprofession. But to set all that at rest, I will join in the bond, ifnecessary, and I possess means, I trust, sufficient to insure Mr.Under-Sheriff against all risk.--There comes Bacon, trotting up on hislittle fat horse. Bacon is a very excellent man, considering thetemptations of profession and example."

  "Well, as my opinion is of no value, my presence can be of nouse," said Mr. Wharton; "and I shall therefore go. Good morning,gentlemen--Sir John Slingsby, good morning."

  The baronet took a step forward, looking at the lawyer somewhatominously, while the good stout calf of his leg might be seen totremble a little, as if agitated by the simultaneous action ofantagonist muscles--but then he stopped, saying aloud,

  "No, I won't kick him--no, I won't kick any body any more."

  "A very prudent resolution, Sir John," said Dr. Miles, "pray adhere toit; and if you include the horsewhip in your renunciations, you willdo well."

  Mr. Wharton was suffered to retreat, unkicked; the matter of thebail-bond was easily arranged; all the rest of the business passedquietly; the bailiffs and their satellites were withdrawn from thehouse; the creditors who remained, paid; and the under-sheriff tookhis leave. Somewhat more time had been expended, indeed, thanBeauchamp had expected that the affair would occupy, ere he, Sir JohnSlingsby, and Doctor Miles, were once more left alone in the library;but then the baronet seized his friend's hand, with an unwonted dew inhis eyes, saying,

  "How can I ever thank you for your noble conduct. I cannot show mygratitude--but you must be secured. You shall have a mortgage for thewhole sum: the estate can well bear it, I am sure, notwithstanding allthat fellow Wharton says."

  "I am quite convinced it can, Sir John," answered Beauchamp, "and Iwill accept your offer, because, for reasons of my own, I amexceedingly anxious that you should be under no possible obligation tome; and now let us join the ladies, for they will think we are nevercoming."

  Dr. Miles smiled; for though he had never played at the games of loveand matrimony, he had been a looker-on all his life, and understoodthem well. Sir John Slingsby was totally unconscious, and led the wayto the drawing-
room, marvelling a little, perhaps--for he was not avain man--at the fact of his having so completely won Beauchamp'sregard, and created such an interest in his bosom, but neverattributing to his daughter any share therein. With parents it is everthe story of the philosopher and his cat; and though they can solvevery difficult problems regarding things at a distance, yet they donot always readily see that a kitten can go through the same hole in adoor which its mother can pass.

  "Here, Isabel," cried the old gentleman, as they entered the roomwhere the three ladies were seated, watching the door as if their fatehung upon its hinges, "shake this gentleman by the hand, as the bestfriend your father ever had."

  "I do thank him, from my heart," said Isabella, giving Beauchamp herhand, with tears in her eyes; "but yet, my dear father," she added,frankly, "Mr. Beauchamp would think me ungenerous, if I did not tellyou that you have another friend, who has acted in as kind and noble amanner as himself. I mean Captain--no, I will call him by his oldname, Ned Hayward; for to him we owed the means of discharging thedebt to that man Wittingham."

  "The obligation is infinitely greater to him than to me, my dear MissSlingsby," said Beauchamp; "for I know that Hayward's income is notvery large, while, in my case, there is really no obligation at all.This money was lying idle, and it might just as well be invested inone way as another."

  "But every one is not so ready to invest money in a friend's relief,"said Sir John, "and I shall never forget it. Hang me, my dear girl, ifI can tell what he found out in me to like or respect; I never coulddiscover anything of the kind myself."

  Isabella coloured to the eyes, but answered at once,

  "Mr. Beauchamp consulted only his own noble heart."

  "Mr. Beauchamp!" cried Sir John Slingsby, with one of his merrylaughs; "Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to do with it, Bella. I am not inthe least indebted to Mr. Beauchamp."

  Isabella, Mrs. Clifford, and Mary, were all alarmed; for they mightwell fear that the events of that morning had somewhat affected SirJohn Slingsby's brain. But he soon relieved them.

  "No, Isabella," he continued, "it is to this gentleman I amindebted--let me introduce him to you. Isabella, Lord Lenham! LordLenham, my daughter."

  Isabella cast her eyes to the ground, and a shade of deep, and, itseemed to Beauchamp, anxious thought, came over her face; but the nextmoment she looked up, all bright and sparkling again, and exclaimed,

  "So, Lord Lenham has thought fit to come upon us in masquerade! Thatwas hardly fair, my lord."

  "Some day when Miss Slingsby will let me tell a long story she shallhear the reasons why," answered Beauchamp, "and may then judge whetherit was fair or not. If she decides the cause in my favour, she maytell the pleadings to the whole party, if she thinks I have greatlyerred she shall forgive the offender and conceal his crime under theseal of confession."

  Again Isabella blushed deeply; and Sir John Slingsby made the matterworse by exclaiming, "Ho, ho! it is to be a private conference, is it?We are all to be kept in the dark, as indeed I have been lately; forall I know is that I have been placed in a very unpleasant andunexpected situation this morning, and as suddenly relieved from it bythe affection of two dear girls, and the generosity of our noblefriend. I have not thanked you yet, my dear Mary; but pray let me hearhow all this has been brought about that I may do so discreetly."

  "In the meantime," said Beauchamp, "I, who know the whole, will walkback again to my poor friend Hayward, and tell him how all things havegone."

  "You promised to dine, you promised to dine!" cried Sir John Slingsby,"no breach of promise or I will have my action against you."

  "I will keep mine to the letter," replied Beauchamp, "and be back in acouple of hours."

  "And bring Ned Hayward with you," said the baronet.

  Beauchamp explained that such a thing was impossible, saying that hisfriend had become somewhat worse in health since the preceding night,but without giving any cause for alarm. His eyes turned towards MaryClifford as he spoke with a momentary glance, which sufficed, by thepaleness that spread over her face, to confirm suspicions which he hadentertained since the night before. He was too much a gentleman inheart to keep his eyes there more than that one moment for he feltthat it would not only be a rudeness but an unkindness.

  "I will walk with you, my good lord," said Doctor Miles, "I long tosee Captain Hayward. He has particularly interested me."

  "And you will walk back with Lord Lenham to dinner, doctor," said SirJohn as gaily as ever, "we will have one jolly evening after all this_fracas_ at all events."

  "I will come to dinner," replied Dr. Miles, "expressly to keep it frombeing too jolly, you incorrigible old gentleman."

  But Sir John only laughed, and the peer and the priest walked awaytogether.