Chapter 18, Part 2 of Paul Clifford by Edward Fuller-Litton. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 18, Part 2. As Clifford spoke, the doors were thrown open and some visitors to Miss Brandon were announced. The Good Square was still immersed in the vicissitudes of his game and the sole task of receiving and entertaining the company as the chambermaid's habit fell, as usual, upon Lucy. Fortunately for her, Clifford was one of those rare persons who possess eminently the talents of society. There was much in his gay and gallant temperament, accompanied as it was with sentiment and ardour that resembled our beau-ideal of those chivaliers ordinarily peculiar to the continent. He rose equally in the drawing room and the field, observant, courteous, witty, immersed in the various accomplishments that combined that most unfrequent of all unions, the vassity with grace. He was especially formed for that brilliant world from which his circumstances tended to exclude him. Under different auspices, he might have been poo. We are running into a most pointless commonplace. What might any man be under auspices different from those by which his life has been guided? Music soon succeeded to conversation and his voice was of necessity put into requisition. Miss Brandon had just risen from the harpsichord as he sat down to perform his part, and she stood by him with the rest of the group while he sang. Only twice his eye stole to that spot which her breath and form made sacred to him once when he began and once when he concluded his song. Perhaps the recollection of their conversation inspired him. Certainly it dwelt upon his mind at the moment through a richer flush over his brow and infused a more meaning and heartfelt softness into his tone. Stands, when I leave thee, oh, ask not the world what that heart which adores thee to others may be. I know that I sin when from thee I depart, but my guilt shall not light upon thee. My life is a river which classes a ray that hath bane to descend from above, and the banks that or shadow its way it mirrors the light of thy love. Though the waves may run high when the night wind awakes and hurries the stream to its fall, though broken and wild be the billows it makes, thine image still trembles on all. While this ominous love between Clifford and Lucy was thus finding fresh food in every interview and every opportunity, Mollever firmly persuaded that his complaint was a relapse of what he termed the warlock dyspepsia was waging the war with the remains of the beef and pudding which he tearfully assured his physicians were lurking in his constitution. As Mollever, though complacent, like most men of unmistakable rank, to all his acquaintances, whatever might be their grade, possessed but very few friends intimate enough to enter his sick chamber, that few were at bath, it will readily be perceived that he was in blissful ignorance of the growing fortunes of his rifle, and to say the exact truth, illness which makes a man's thoughts turn very much upon himself, banished many of the most tender ideas usually floating in his mind around the image of Lucy Brandon. His pill superseded his passion and he felt that there are drafts in the world more powerful in their effects than those in the files of Alcidonus. He very often thought it is true how pleasant it would be for Lucy to smooth his pillow and Lucy to prepare that mixture, but then Mollever had an excellent ballet who hoped to play the part inactive by Gilles Blas towards the honest licensure and to nurse the legacy while he was nursing him his master. And the Earl who was tolerably good tempered was forced to confess that it would be scarcely possible for anyone to know his ways better than smoothsome. Thus, during his illness, the fair form of his intended bride little troubled the peace of the noble ardor and it was not till he found himself able to eat three good dinners consecutively with a tolerable appetite that Mollever recollected that he was violently in love. As soon as this idea was fully reinstated in his memory and he had been permitted by his doctor to allow himself a little cheerful society, Mollever resolved to go to the rooms for an hour or two. It may be observed that most great personages have some favorite plays, some cherished by E at which they love to throw off their estate and to play the amiable instead of the splendid and bath at that time from its gaity it sees the variety of character to be found in his haunts and the obliging manner in which such characters expose themselves to ridicule was exactly the place he calculated to please a man like Mollever who loved at once to be admired and to satirize. He was therefore an idolized person at the city of Dudd and as he entered the rooms he was surrounded by a whole band of imitators and sycophants delighted to find his lordship looking so much better and declaring himself so convalescent. As soon as the earl had bowed and smiled and shaken hand sufficiently to sustain his reputation he sauntered towards the dancers in search of Lucy. He found her not only exactly in the same spot in which he had last beheld her but dancing with exactly the same partner who had before provoked all the gallant noblemen's jealousy and wrath. Mollever though not by any means addicted to preparing his compliments beforehand had just been conning a delicate speech for Lucy but no sooner did the person of her partner flash on him than the whole flattery vanished at once from his recollection. He felt himself grow pale and when Lucy turned and seeing him near addressed him in the anxious and soft tone which he thought due to her uncle's friend on his recovery Mollever bowed confused and silent and that green eyed passion which would have convulsed the mind of a true lover altering a little the course of his fury effectually disturbed the manner of the courtier. Retreating to an obscure part of the room where he could see all without being conspicuous Mollever now employed himself in watching the motions and looks of the young pair. He was naturally a penetrating and quick observer and in this instance jealousy sharpened his talents. He saw enough to convince him that Lucy was already attached to Clifford and being by that conviction fully persuaded that Lucy was necessary to his own happiness he resolved to lose not a moment in banishing Captain Clifford from her presence or at least in instituting such inquiries into that gentleman's relatives rank and respectability as would he hope render such banishment a necessary consequence of the research. Fought with this determination Mollever repaired it once to the retreat of the squire and engaging him in conversation bluntly asked him who the deuce Miss Brandon was dancing with. The squire a little peaked at this brusquery replied by a long meologium on Paul and Mollever after hearing it throughout with the blandest smile imaginable told the squire very politely that he was sure Mr. Brandon's good nature had misled him. Clifford said he repeating the name Clifford it is one of those names which are particularly selected by persons nobody knows first because the name is good and secondly because it is common. My long and dear friendship with your brother makes me feel peculiarly anxious on any point relative to his knees and indeed my dear William overrating perhaps my knowledge of the world and my influence in society but not my affection for him sought me to assume the liberty of esteeming myself a friend and even a relation of yours and Miss Brandon's so that I trust you do not consider my caution impertinent. The splattered squire assured him that he was particularly honored so far from deeming his lordship which never could be the case with people so distinguished as his lordship was especially impertinent. Lord Mollever encouraged by this speech artfully renewed and succeeded if not in convincing the squire that the handsome captain was a suspicious character at least in persuading him that common prudence required that he should find out exactly who the handsome captain was especially as he was in the habit of dining with the squire thrice a week and dancing with Lucy every night. See said Mollever he approaches you now I will retreat to the chair by the fireplace and you shall cross examine him I have no doubt you will do it with the utmost delicacy. So saying Mollever took possession of a seat where he was not absolutely beyond hearing slightly deaf as he was of the ensuing colloquy the position of his seat screened him from sight Mollever was esteemed a man of the most punctilious honor in private life and he would not have been seen in the act of listening to other people's conversation for the world. Heming with an air and resettling himself as Clifford approached the squire thus skillfully commenced the attack aha my good captain Clifford and how do you do I saw you and I'm very glad my friend everyone else is to see you at a distance and where have you left my daughter Miss Brandon is dancing with Mr. Muskwell sir answer Clifford oh she is Mr. Muskwell huh good family the Muskwells came from Primrose Hall pray captain not that I want to know for my own sake for I am a strange odd person I believe and I'm thoroughly convinced some people are sensorious and others thank God or not of your respectability what family do you come from you won't think my caution impertinent added the shrewd old gentleman borrowing that phrase which he thought so friendly in the mouth of Lord Mollever Clifford colored for a moment but replied with a quiet archeness of look family oh my dear sir I come from an old family a very old family indeed so I always thought and in what part of the world Scotland sir all our family come from Scotland namely all who live long due the rest are young I particular air does agree with particular constitution I for instance could not live in all countries not you take me in the north few honest men can live there said Clifford Riley and resume the square a little embarrassed by the nature of his task and the cool assurance of his young friend and pray captain Clifford what regiment do you belong to oh the rifles answered Clifford deuce is in me whether he if I can resist to jest though I break my neck over it a very gallant body of men said the square no doubt of that sir rejoin Clifford and do you think captain Clifford renewed the square that it is a good core for getting on it is rather a bad one for getting off muttered the captain and then allowed why we have not much interest at court sir oh but then there is a wider scope as my brother the lawyer says and no man knows better for merit I dare say you have seen many a man elevated from the ranks nothing more common sir than such elevation and so great is the virtue of our core that I've also known not a few willing to transfer the honor to their comrades you don't say so exclaimed the square opening his eyes at such disinterested magnanimity but said Clifford who began to believe he might carry the equivoke too far and who thought despite of his jesting that it was possible to strike out a more agreeable vein of conversation but sir if you remember you have not yet finished that youthful hunting adventure of yours when the hounds were lost at Burnham cops oh very true cried the square quite forgetting his late suspicions and forthwith he began a story that promised to be as long as the chase it recorded so charmed was he when he had finished it with the character of the gentleman who had listened to it so delightedly that on rejoining malever he told the Earl with an important air that he had strictly examined the young captain and that he had fully convinced himself of the excellence of his family as well as the rectitude of his morals malever listened with a countenance of polite incredulity he had heard but little of the conversation that had taken place between the pair but on questioning the square upon sundry particulars of Clifford's birth parentage and property he found him exactly as ignorant as before the courtier however seeing further expostulation was in vain contented himself with patting the square shoulder and saying with a mysterious urbanity ah sir you are too good with these words he turned on his heel and not yet despairing about the daughter he found Miss Brandon just released from dancing with a kind of paternal gallantry he offered his arm to parade the apartments after some preliminary flourish and reference for that thousandth time to his friendship for William Brandon the Earl spoke to her about that fine linking young man who called himself captain Clifford unfortunately for malever he grew a little too unguarded as his resentment against the interference of Clifford warmed him up with his language and he dropped in his anger one or two words of caution which especially offended the delicacy of Miss Brandon take care how I encourage my lord said Lucy with glowing cheeks repeating the words which had so affronted her I really must beg you you mean dear Miss Brandon interrupted malever squeezing her hand with respectful tenderness that you must beg me to apologize for my inadvertent expression I do most surely if I had felt less interest in your happiness believe me I should have been more guarded in my language Miss Brandon bowed stiffly and the courtier saw with secret rage that the country beauty was not easily appeased even by an apology from Lord malever I have seen the time thought he when young unmarried ladies would have deemed an affront for me and honor they would have gone into hysterics at an apology before he had time to make his peace and joined them and Lucy taking her father's on expressed her wish to return home the squire was delighted at the proposition it would have been but civil malever to offer his assistance and those little attentions preparatory to female departure from balls he hesitated for a moment he keeps one so long in those cursed thorough drafts thought he shivering besides it is just possible that I may not marry her and it is no good risking a cold above all at the beginning of winter for nothing fraught with this prudential policy malever then resigned Lucy to her father and murmuring in her ear that her displeasure made him the most rich to men concluded his adieu by a bow penitentially graceful about five minutes afterwards he himself withdrew as he was wrapping his corporeal treasure in his local air of sables previous to immersing himself in his chair he had the mortification of seeing Lucy who with her father from some cause or other had been delayed in the hall handed to the carriage by Captain Clifford had the earl watched more narrowly than in the anxious cares due to himself he was unable to do he would to his consolation have noted that Lucy gave her hand with an averted and cool air and that Clifford's expressive features brought rather the aspect of mortification than triumph he did not however see more than the action and as he was born homeward with his flambeau and footmen preceding him and the watchful smooths by the side of the little vehicle he met with his determination of writing by the very next post to Brandon all his anger for Lucy and all his jealousy of her evident lover while this doubt he resolved was animating the great soul of malever Lucy reached her own room bolted the door and throwing herself on her bed burst into a long and bitter paroxysm of tears so unusual were such visitors to her happy and boring temper that there was something almost alarming in the earnestness and obstinacy with which she now wept what said she bitterly have I placed my affections upon a man of uncertain character and is my infatuation so clear than an acquaintance their hint at its imprudence and yet his manner his tone there can be no reason for shame in loving him and as she said this her heart smote her for the coldness of her manner towards Clifford on his taking leave of her for the evening am I she thought weeping yet more and leave them before am I so worldly so base as to feel altered towards him the moment I hear a syllable breathed against his name should I not on the contrary have clung to his image with a greater love were attacked by others but my father my dear father and my kind prudent uncle something is due to them and they would break their hearts if I loved one whom they deemed unworthy why should I not some encourage and tell him of the suspicions respecting him one candid word would dispel them surely it would be but kind to me towards him to give him an opportunity of disproving all false and dishonoring conjectures and why this reserve when so often by looking hint if not by open a vowel he has declared that he loves me and knows he must know that he is not indifferent to me why does he never speak of his parents his relations his home and Lucy as she asked this question drew from a bosom whose hue and shape might have rivaled hers who won Simon to be wise a drawing which she yourself had secretly made of her lover in which though in artificially and even rudely done yet had caught the inspiration of memory and breathed the very features of air that were stamped already ineffacably upon a heart too holy for so sully than idle she gazed upon the portrait as if it could answer her question of the original and as she looked and looked her tears slowly ceased and her innocent countenance relapsed gradually into its usual and eloquent serenity but perhaps could Lucy's own portrait have been taken at a more favorable moment the unconscious grace of her attitude her dress loosened the modest and youthful voluptuousness of her beauty the tender cheek to which the virgin bloom vanished for a while was now all glowingly returning the little white soft hand on which that cheek leaned while the other contained the picture upon which her eyes that was conjured to her full red dewy lips and gone the moment after yet again restored all made a picture of such enchanting loveliness that we question whether Shakespeare himself could have fancied an earthly shape more meat to embody the vision of a Miranda or a viola the quiet and maiden neatness of the apartment gave effect to the charm and there was a poetry even in the snowy furniture of the bed the shutters partly unclosed admitting a glimpse of the silver moon and the solitary lamp just contending with the pure ray of the skies and so throwing a mixed and soft and light around the chamber she was yet gazing on the drawing when a faint stream of music stole through the air beneath her window and it gradually rose to the sound of the guitar became distinct and clear suiting with not disturbing the moonlit stillness of the night the gallantry and romance would form a day though at the time of our story subsiding were not quite dispelled and nightly serenades under the casements of a distinguished beauty were by no means of unfrequent occurrence but Lucy as the music floated upon her ear blushed deeper and deeper as if it had a dearer source to her heart than ordinary gallantry and raising herself on one arm from her incumbent position she leaned forward to catch the sound with a greater and more unearing certainty after a prelude of some moments a clear and sweet voice accompanied the instrument and the words of the song were as follows Clifford's serenade there is a world where every night my spirit meets and walks with thine and hopes I dare not tell the light like stars of love that world of mine sleep to the waking world my heart hath now a stranger grown a sleep that I may feel thou art within one world that is my own as the music died away Lucy sank back once more and the drawing which she held was pressed with cheeks glowing though unseen at the act to her lips and though the character of her lover was unclear though she herself had come to no distinct resolution even to inform him of the rumors against his name yet so easily restored was her trust in him and so soothing the very thought of his vigilance and his love that before an hour had passed her eyes were closed in sleep the drawing was laid as a spell against grief under her pillow and in her dreams she murmured his name and unconscious of reality and the future smiled tenderly as she did so in the chapter 18 part 2 chapter 19 of Paul Clifford by Edward Boer Lytton this LibriVox recording is in the public domain chapter 19 come the plot thickens and another fold of the warm cloak of mystery wraps us around and for their loves behold the seal is on them Tanner of Tyburn we must not suppose that Clifford's manner and tone were towards Lucy Brandon such as they seem to others love refines every roughness and that truth which nurtures tenderness is never barren of grace whatever the habits and comrades of Clifford's light he had at heart many good and generous qualities they were not often perceptible it is true first because he was of a gay and reckless turn secondly because he was not easily affected by any external circumstances and thirdly because he had the policy to affect among his comrades only such qualities as were likely to give him influence with them still however is better genius broke out whenever an opportunity presented itself though no course there romantic and unreal and oceanic shadow becoming more vast in proportion as it recedes from substance though no grandly imagined lie to the fair proportions of human nature but an earring man in a very prosaic and homely world Clifford still mingled as certain generosity a spirit of enterprise even with the practices of his profession although the name of love it by which he was chiefly known was one peculiarly distinguished in the annals of the adventurous it had never been coupled with rumors of cruelty or outrage and it was often associated with anecdotes of courage courtesy good humor he was one whom a real love was peculiarly calculated to soften and to redeem the boldness the candor the unselfishness of his temper were components of nature upon which affection invariably takes a strong and deep hold besides Clifford was of an eager and aspiring term and the same temper and abilities which had in a very few years raised him in influence and popularity far above all the chivalric band with whom he was connected when once inflamed and elevated by a higher passion were likely to arouse his ambition from the level of his present pursuit and reform him. Er too late into a useful may even an honorable member of society we trust that the reader has already perceived that despite his early circumstances his manner and address were not such as to unfit him for a lady's love. The comparative refinement of his exterior is easy of explanation for he possessed a natural and inborn gentility a quick turn for observation already sense both of the ridiculous and the graceful and these are materials which are soon and lightly wrought from coarseness into polish he had been thrown to among the leaders and heroes of his band many not absolutely low in birth nor debased in habit he had associated with the Beringtons of the day gentlemen who were admired at ran a lot and made speeches worthy of Cicero when they were summoned to trial public places and as Tomlinson was want to say after his classic fashion the triumphs accomplished in the field had been planned in the ballroom in short he was one of those accomplished and elegant highwaymen of whom we yet read wonders and by whom it would have been delightful to have been robbed and the happiness of intellect which grew into wit with his friends softened into sentiment his mistress there is something to in beauty and Clifford's person as we have before said was possessed of even uncommon attractions which lifts a beggar into nobility and there was a distinction in his gate and look which supplied the air of rank and the tone of courts men indeed skilled like malever in the subtleties of manner might perhaps have easily detected in him the want of that indescribable essence possessed only by persons reared in good society but that want being shared by so many persons of indisputable birth and fortune conveyed no particular reproach to Lucy indeed brought up in seclusion and seeing at warlock none calculated to refine her taste in the fashion of an air or phrase to a very fastidious standard of perfection this want was perfectly imperceptible she remarked in her lover only a figure everywhere unequaled and I always eloquent with admiration a step from which grace could never be divorced a voice that spoke in a silver key and uttered flatteries delicate in thought and poetical in word even a certain originality of mind remark and character occasionally to the bizarre yet sometimes also to the elevated possessed a charm for the imagination of a young and not unenthusiastic female and contrasted favorably rather than the reverse with a dull insipidity of those she ordinarily saw nor are we sure that the mystery thrown about him irksome as it was to her and discreditable as it appeared to others was altogether ineffectual in increasing her love for the adventurer and thus fate which transmutes in her magic crucible all opposing battles into that one which she is desires to produce swell the wealth of an ill placed an ominous passion by the very circumstances which should have counteracted and destroyed it we are willing by what we have said not to defend Clifford but see in the opinion of our readers for loving so unwisely and when they remember her youth or education her privation of a mother of all female friendship even of the vigilant and unrelaxing care of some protector of the opposite sex we do not think that what was so natural will be considered by any inexcusable a lever woke the morning after the ball in better health than usual and consequently more in love than ever according to his resolution the night before he sat down to write a long letter to William Brandon it was amusing and witty as usual but the wily nobleman succeeded under the cover of wit in conveying to Brandon's mind a serious apprehension lest his cherished matrimonial project should altogether fail the account of Lucy and of Clifford contained in the epistle instilled indeed a double portion of sourness into the professionally mind of the lawyer and as it so happened that he read the letter just before attending the court upon a case in which he was counseled to the crown the witnesses on the opposite side of the question felt the full effects of the barristers ill humor the case was one in which Brandon had been engaged in swindling transactions to a very large amount and among his agents and assistants was a person of the very lowest orders but who seemingly enjoying large connections and possessing natural cuteness and address appeared to have been of great use in receiving and disposing of such goods as were fraudulently obtained as a witness against the letter person appeared a pawn broker of the articles that have been pledged to him at different times by this humble agent now Brandon in examining the guilty go between became the more terribly severe in proportion as the man evinced that semblance of unconscious solidity which the lower orders can so ingeniously assume and which is so peculiarly adapted to enrage and to baffle the gentlemen of the bar had linked Brandon doing and quelling the stubborn hypocrisy of the culprit the man turned towards him a look between wrath and beseechingness muttering aha if so be counselor Brandon you knew that I knows you would not go for too bully I so and pray my good fellow what is it that you know that should make me treat you as if I thought you an honest man the witness had now lapsed into sullenness and only answered by a sort of grunt Brandon who knew well how to sting a witness into communicativeness continued his questioning to the witness re aroused into anger and it may be into indiscretion said in a low voice Hacks Mr. Swapham the palm broker what I sold him on the 15th of February exactly 23 year ago Brandon started back his lips grew white he clenched his hands with a convulsive spasm and while all his features seemed distorted with an earnest yet fearful intensity of expectation he poured forth a volley of questions so incoherent and so irrelevant that he was immediately called to order by his learned brother on the opposite side nothing further could be extracted from the witness the palm broker was re summoned he appeared somewhat disconcerted by an appeal to his memory so far back as 23 years but after taking some time to consider during which the agitation of the usually cold and possessed Brandon was remarkable to all the court he declared that he recollected no transaction whatsoever with the witness at that time in vain were all Brandon's efforts to procure a more elucidatory answer the palm broker was impenetrable and the lawyer was compelled reluctantly to dismiss him the moment the witness left the box Brandon sank into a gloomy abstraction he seemed quite to forget the business and the duties of the court and so negligently did he continue to conclude the case so purposeless was the rest of his examination and cross examination that the cause was entirely marred and a verdict not guilty returned by the jury the moment he left the court Brandon repaired to the palm brokers and after a conversation with Mr. Swapham in which he satisfied that honest that his object was rather to reward than intimidate Swapham confessed that 23 years ago the witness had met him at a public house in Devereux court in company with two other men and sold him several articles in plate ornaments etc. the great bulk of these articles had of course long left the palm brokers abode but he still thought a stray trinket or two not of sufficient worth to be reset or remodeled nor of sufficient fashion to find a ready sale lingered in his drawers eagerly and with trembling hands did Brandon toss over the motley contents of the mahogany reservoirs which the palm broker now submitted to his scrutiny nothing on earth is so melancholy as a prospect as a palm broker's drawer those little quaint valueless ornaments those true lovers knots those oval lockets those battered rings girdled by initials or some brief inscription of a garter of grief what tales of past affections hopes and sorrows do they not tell but no sentiment of so gentle a sort ever saddened the hard mind of William Brandon and now less than at any time could such reflections have occurred to him impatiently he threw on the table one after another the bobbles once hoarded perchance with the tenderest respect till it length his eyes sparkled and with a nervous grip he seized upon an old ring which was inscribed with letters and circled a heart containing hair the inscription was simply W.B. to Julia strange and dark was the expression that settled on Brandon's face as he regarded this seemingly worthless trinket after a moment's gaze he uttered an inarticulate exclamation and thrusting it into his pocket renewed his search he found one or two other trifles of a similar nature one was an ill-done miniature set in silver and bearing at the back sundry half a face letters which Brandon construed at once though no other I could into Sir John Brandon 1635 A.E.T.A. 28 the other was a seal stamped with the noble crest of the house of Brandon a bull's head dukely crowned and armed or as soon as Brandon had possessed himself of these treasures and arrived at the conviction that the place held no more he assured the conscientious swappin' of his regard for that person's safety rewarded him magnificently and went his way to Bow Street for a warrant the witness who had commended him to the pawnbroker on his road thither a new resolution occurred to him why make all public he muttered to himself if it can be avoided and it may be avoided he paused a moment then retraced his way to the pawnbrokers and after a brief mandate to Mr. Swappin returned home in the course of the same evening the witness we refer to was brought to the lawyer's house by Mr. Swappin and there held a long private conversation with Brandon the result of this seemed a compact to their mutual satisfaction for the man went away safe with a heavy purse and a light heart although sundry shades and misgivings did certainly ever an anon crossed the ladder while Brandon flung himself back in his seat with a triumphant air of one who has accomplished some great measure and his dark face portrayed in every feature a joyousness which were unfrequent guests it must be owned either to his countenance or his heart so good a man of business however it was William Brandon that he allowed not the event of that day to defer beyond the night his attention to his designs for the aggrandizement of his niece and house by daybreak the next morning he had written to Lord the leverer to his brother and to Lucy to the last his letter couched in all the anxiety of fondness and the caution of affectionate experience was well calculated to occasion that mingled shame and soreness which the wary lawyer rightly judged would be the most effectual enemy to an incipient passion I've accidentally heard he wrote from a friend of mine just arrived from Bath of the glaring attentions paid to you by a captain Clifford I will not my dearest niece wound you by repeating what also I heard of your manner in receiving them I know the ill nature and the envy of the world and I do not for a moment imagine that my Lucy of whom I am so justly proud would countenance from a petty coquetry the advances of one whom she could never marry or events to any suitor partiality unknown to her relations and certainly placed in a quarter which could never receive their approbation I do not credit the reports of the idol my dearest niece but if I discredit you must not slight them I call upon your prudence your delicacy your discretion your sense of right at once ineffectually to put a stop to all impertinent rumors dance with his young man no more do not let him be of your party in any place of amusement public or private avoid even seeing him if you are able and throw in your manner towards him that decided coldness which the world cannot mistake much more did the skillful uncle right but all to the same purpose and for the furtherance of the same design his letter to his brother was not less artful he told him at once that Lucy's preference of the suit of a handsome fortune hunter was the public talk and they sought him to lose not a moment in quelling the rumor you may do so easily he wrote by avoiding the young man and should he be very important return at once to warlock your daughter's welfare must be dearer to you than anything to me lever Brandon replied by a letter which turned first on public matters and then slid carelessly into the subject of the Earl's information among the admonitions which he ventured to give me lever he dwelt not without reason on the want of tack displayed by the Earl and not manifesting that pomp and show which his station in life enabled him to do remember he urged you were not among your equals by whom unnecessary parade begins to be considered an ostentatious vulgarity the surest method of dazzling our inferiors is by splendor not taste all young persons all women in particular are caught by show and enamored by magnificence assume a greater state and you will be more talked of and notoriety wins a woman's heart more than beauty or youth you have forgive me played the boy too long a certain dignity becomes your manhood women will not respect you if you suffer yourself to become stale and cheap to vulgar company you are like a man who has 50 advantages and uses only one of them to gain his point when you rely on your conversation and your manner and throw away the resources of your wealth and your station any private gentlemen may be amiable and ready but any private gentlemen cannot call to his aid the Aladdin's lamp possessed by a wealthy peer look to this my dear lord Lucy at heart is vain or she is not a woman dazzle her then dazzle love may be blind but it must be made so by excess of light you have a country house within a few miles of bad why not take up your abode there instead of in a paltry lodging in the town give some sure entertainments make it necessary for all the world to attend them exclude of course this captain Clifford you will then meet Lucy without arrival that present accepting only your title you fight on a level ground with this adventure instead of an eminence from which you could in an instant sweep him away now he is stronger than you he has the opportunities afforded by a partnership in balls where you cannot appear to advantage he is you say in the first bloom of youth he is handsome reflect your destiny so far as Lucy is concerned is in your hands I turn to other subjects etc as Brandon re-read ere he signed this last letter a bitter smile sat on his harsh yet handsome features if said he mentally I can affect this object if my lever does marry this girl why so much the better that she has another affair and a more welcome lover by the great principle of scorn within me which has enabled me to sneer at what weak reminds a door and make a footstool of that worldly honor which fools set up as a throne to me more sweet than fame I or even than power to see this fine spun lord a jib in the mouths of men a cuckold a cuckold and as he said the last word Brandon laughed outright and he thinks too at a he that he is sure of my fortune otherwise perhaps he the goldsmith's descendant would not dignify our house with his proposals but he may err there he may err there and finishing his soliloquy Brandon also his letter by a do you my dear lord your most affectionate friend it is not difficult to conjecture the effect produced upon Lucy by Brandon's letter it made her wretched she refused for days to go out she shut herself up in her apartment and consume the time and tears and struggles with her own heart sometimes what she conceived to be her duty concrete and she resolved to force where her lover but the night undid the labor of the day for at night every night the sound of her lover's voice accompanied by music melted away her resolution and made her once more all tenderness and trust the words too sung under her window were especially suited to affect her they breathed that melancholy which touched her the more from its harmony with her own thoughts one while they complained of absence at another they hinted at neglect but there was always in them a tone of humiliation not reproach they bespoke a sense of unworthiness in the lover and confessed that even the love was a crime and in proportion as they owned the want of dessert did Lucy more firmly cling to the belief that her lover was deserving the old squire was greatly disconcerted by his brother's letter though impressed with the idea of self consequence and the love of tolerably pure blood common to most country squires he was by no means ambitious for his daughter on the contrary the same feeling which at warlock had made him choose his companions among the inferior gentry made him averse to the thought of a son-in-law from the peerage in spite of malevers good nature the very ease of the Earl annoyed him and he never felt at home in his society to Clifford he had a great liking and having convinced himself that there was nothing to suspect in the young gentleman he saw no earthly reason why so agreeable a companion should not be an agreeable son-in-law if he be poor thought the squire though he does not seem so Lucy is rich and this truism appeared to him to answer every objection nevertheless William Brandon possessed a remarkable influence over the weaker mind of his brother and the squire though with great reluctance resolved to adopt his advice he shut his doors against Clifford and when he met him in the streets instead of greeting him with his wanted cordiality he passed him with a hasty good day captain which after the first day or two merged into a distant bow whenever very good hearted people are rude and unjustly so the rudeness is in the extreme the squire felt it so irksome to be less familiar than heretofore with Clifford that his only remaining desire was now to drop them all together and to this consummation of acquaintance the gradually cooling salute appeared rapidly approaching meanwhile Clifford unable to see Lucy shunned by her father and obtaining an answer to all inquiry rude looks from the footman whom nothing but the most resolute command over his muscles prevented him from knocking down began to feel perhaps for the first time in his life that an equivocal character is at least no equivocal misfortune to add to his distress the earnings of his previous industry we must use the expression cherished by the wise Tomlinson waxed gradually less and less beneath the expenses of bad and the murmuring voices of his two comrades began already to reproach their chief for his inglorious idleness and to hint at the necessity of a speedy exertion end of chapter 19 chapter 20 of Paul Clifford by Edward Bower Lytton this little box recording is in the public domain chapter 20 Wacom look you there now well all Europe cannot show a knot of finer wits and braver gentlemen ding boy faith they are pretty smart men Shadwell scowlers the world of Bath was of a sudden delighted by the intelligence that Lord Malever had gone to Beau Vale the beautiful seat possessed by that nobleman in the neighborhood of Bath with the intention of there holding a series of sumptuous entertainments the first persons to whom the gay Earl announced his hospitable purpose were Mr. Miss Brandon he called at their house and declared his resolution of not leaving it till Lucy who was in her own room consented to gratify him with an interview and a promise to be the queen of his proposed festival Lucy teased by her father descended through the drawing room spiritless and pale and the Earl struck by the alteration of her appearance took her hand and made his inquiries with so interesting and feeling a semblance of kindness as pre-possessed the father for the first time in his favor and touched even the daughter so earnest to was his request that she would honor his festivities with her presence and with so skillful that it conveyed that the squire undertook to promise the favor in her name and when the Earl declaring he was not contented with that promise from another appealed to Lucy herself her denial was soon melted into a positive though a reluctant ascent delighted with his success and more struck with Lucy's loveliness refined as it was by her paleness than he had ever been before my leverer left the house and calculated with greater accuracy than he had hitherto done for probable fortune Lucy would derive from her uncle no sooner were the cards issued for Lord my leverer's vet than nothing else was talked of among the circles which at Bath people were pleased to term the world but in the interim caps are making and talk flowing at Bath and when it was found that Lord my leverer the good nature Lord my leverer the obliging Lord my leverer was really going to be exclusive and out of a thousand acquaintances to select only 800 it is amazing how his popularity deepened into respect now then came anxiety and triumph she who was asked turned her back upon her who was not old friendships dissolved independence wrote letters for a ticket and as England is free as country in the world all the mistresses hodges and snodges beg to take the liberty of bringing their youngest daughters leaving the enviable leverer the godlike occasion of so much happiness and woe triumph and ejection ascend with us a reader into those elegant apartments over the hairdresser's shop tenanted by Mr. Edward Pepper and Mr. Augustus Tomlinson the time was that of evening Captain Clifford had been dining with his two friends the cloth was removed and conversation was flowing over a table graced by two bottles of port a bowl of punch for Mr. Pepper's a special discussion two dishes of filbert another of deviled biscuits and a fourth of three pomerian crudities which nobody touched the hearth was swept clean the fire burned high and clear the curtains were let down and the light was excluded our three adventurers and their rooms seemed the picture of comfort so thought Mr. Pepper for glancing round the chamber and putting his feet upon the fender he said where my portrait to be taken gentlemen it is just as I am now that I would be drawn and said Tomlinson cracking his filberts Tomlinson was fond of filberts were I to choose a home it is in such a home as this that I would be always quartered by Clifford who had been for sometimes silent it is more than probable that forth your wishes may be heard and that you may be drawn quartered and something else too in the very place of your dessert well said Tomlinson smiling gently I am happy to hear you just again captain that would be at our expense expense I could not die there is the rub who deduces to pay the expense of our dinner and our dinners for the last week this empty nut looks ominous it certainly has one grand feature strikingly resembling my pockets I hoe sighed long knit turning his waistcoat commodities inside out with a significant gesture while the accomplished Tomlinson who was fond of plaintive poetry pointed to the disconsulate back cure and exclaimed Ian while fashioned the brightest arts decoy the heart desponding asks if this be joy in truth gentlemen added he solemnly depositing his nutcrackers on the table and laying as was his want when about to be luminous his right finger on his sinister palm in truth gentlemen affairs are growing serious with us and it becomes necessary forthwith to devise some safe means of procuring a decent competence I am done confoundedly cried knit and continued Tomlinson no person of delicacy likes to be subjected to the importunity of vulgar creditors we must therefore raise money for the liquidation of our debts captain love it or Clifford whichever you be styled we call upon you to assist us in so praiseworthy a purpose Clifford turned his eyes first on one then on the other but made no answer in premise said Tomlinson let us each produce our stock in hand for my part I am free to confess for what shame is there in that poverty which our exertions are about to relieve that I have only two guineas four shillings and three pence half penny and I said long Ned taking a china ornament from the chimney piece and emptying its contents in his hand and then out still a more pitiful condition see I have only three shillings and a bad guiney I gave the guiney to the waiter at the white heart yesterday the dog brought it back to me today and I was forced to change it with my last shiner plague take the thing I bought it of a Jew for four shillings and have lost one pound five by the bargain fortune frustrates our wisest schemes rejoined the moralizing Augustus captain will you produce this canty wrecks of your wealth Clifford still silent through a purse on the table Augustus carefully emptied it and counted out five guineas an expression of grave surprise settled on Tomlinson's contempt of the brow and extending the coins towards Clifford he said in a melancholy tone all your pretty ones did you say all a look from Clifford answered the interesting interrogatory these then said Tomlinson collecting in his hand the common wealth these then are all our remaining treasures as he spoke he jingled the coins mournfully in his palm and gazing upon them with the parental air exclaimed alas regardless of their dune the little victims play oh darn it said then no sentiment let us come to business at once to tell you the truth I for one am tired of this heiress hunting and a man may spend a fortune in the chase before he can win one you despair then positively of the widow you have courted so long as Tomlinson utterly rejoined then whose addresses had been limited solely to the dames of the middling class and who had imagined himself at one time as he punningly expressed it sure of a dear rib from cheap side utterly she was very civil to me at first but when I proposed asked me with a blush for my references references that I why I want the place of your husband my charmer not your footman the dame was inexorable said she could not take me without a character but hinted that I might be the lover instead of the bridegroom and when I scorned the suggestion impressed with a person she told me point blank with her unlucky city pronunciation that she would never accompany me to the halter ha ha ha quite Tomlinson laughing one can scarcely blame the good lady for that love really brooks such permanent ties but have you no other lady in your eye not from matrimony all roads but those to the church while this disloot pair were thus conversing Clifford leaning against the rain Scott listen to them with a sick and bitter feeling of degradation which until of late days had been a stranger to his breast he was at length aroused from his silence by Ned who bending forward and placing his hand upon Clifford's knee said abruptly in short captain you must lead us once more to glory we have still our horses and I keep my mask in my pocket book together with my comb let us take the road tomorrow night dash across the country towards Salisbury and after a short visit in that neighborhood to a band of old friends of mine fellows who would have stopped the devil himself when he was at work upon Stonehenge make a tour by Reading and Henley and end by a plunge into London you've spoken well Ned said Tomlinson approvingly now noble captain your opinion may seers answered Clifford I highly approve of your intended excursion and I only regret that I cannot be your companion not and why cried Mr. Pepper amazed because I business here that renders it impossible perhaps before long I may join you in London nay said Tomlinson there is no necessity for our going to London if you wish to remain here nor need we at present recur to so desperate and expedient as the road a little quiet business at Bath will answer our purpose and for my part as you well know I love exerting my wits in some scheme more worthy of them than the highway a profession meter for a bully than a man of genius let us then captain planet project of enrichment on the property of some credulous tradesman why have recourse to rough measure so long as we can find easy fools Clifford shook his head I will own to you fairly said he that I cannot at present take a share in your exploits nay as your chief I must lay my positive commands on you to refrain from all exercise of your talents at Bath Rob if you please the world is before you but this city is sacred body me cried Ned coloring but this is too good I will not be dictated to in this manner but sir answer Clifford who had learned in his oligarchical profession the way to command but sir you shall or if you mutinate you leave our body and then will the hangman have no petty chance of your own come come in great as you are what would you be without me how many times have I already saved that long carcass of vine from the rope and now would you have the baseness to rebel out on you the Mr. Pepper was still wrought he bit his lip in moody silence and suffered not his passion to have its way while Clifford rising after short pause continued look you Mr. Pepper you know my commands consider them peremptory I wish you success and plenty farewell gentlemen do you leave us already Craig Tomlinson you are offended surely not answer Clifford retreating to the door but an engagement elsewhere you know I I take you said Tomlinson following Clifford out of the room and shutting the door after him I I take you added he in a whisper as he arrested Clifford at the head of the stairs but tell me how do you get on with the heiress smothering that sensation at his heart which made Clifford reckless as he was enraged and ashamed whenever through the lips of his comrades they're issued in the illusion to Lucy Brandon the chief replied I fear Tomlinson that I am already suspected by the old squire all of a sudden he avoids me this branding goes nowhere and even if she did what could I expect from her after this sudden change in the father Tomlinson looked blank and disconcerted but that he after a moment's silence why not put a good face on the matter woke up to the squire and ask him the reason of his unkindness why look you my friend I'm bold enough with all others but this girl has made me as bashful as a maid in all that relates to herself nay there are moments when I think I can conquer all selfish feeling and rejoice for her sake that she has escaped me could I but see her once more I could yes I feel I feel I could resign her forever huh said Tomlinson and what is to become of us really my captain your sense of duty should lead you to exert yourself your friends star before your eyes why you are shelly shelling about your mistress have you no bowels for a friendship a truce with this nonsense said Clifford angrily it is sense sober sense and sadness to rejoin Tomlinson net is discontented our debts are imperious suppose now just suppose that we take moonlight flitting from bath will that tell well for you whom we leave behind yet this we must do if you do not devise some method of refilling our purses either then consent to join us in a scheme meet for our wants or pay our debts in this city or fly with us to London and dismiss all thoughts of that love which is so seldom friendly to the projects of ambition notwithstanding the manner in which Tomlinson made this three four proposition Clifford could not but acknowledge the sense and justice contained in it and a glance at the matter suffice to show how ruinous to his character and therefore to his hopes would be the flight of his comrades and the clamor of their creditors you speak well Tomlinson said he hesitating and yet for the life of me I cannot aid you in any case by detection nothing can reconcile me to the apprehension of Miss Brandon's discovering who and what was her suitor I feel for you said Tomlinson but give me and pepper at least permission to shift for ourselves trust to my known prudence for finding some method to raise the wind without creating a dust in other words this cursed pepper makes one so vulgar of praying on the public without being discovered I see no to Clifford reluctantly but if possible be quiet for the present bear with me for a few days longer give me only sufficient time once more to see Miss Brandon and I will engage to extricate you from your difficulties spoken like yourself frankly and nobly replied Tomlinson no one has a greater confidence in your genius once exerted than I have so saying the pair shook hands imparted Tomlinson rejoined Mr. Pepper well have you settled anything about the letter not exactly and the love it has promised to exert himself in a few days yet as the poor man is in love and his genius under a cloud I have little faith in his promises and I have none said pepper besides time presses a few days a few devils we are certainly scented here and I walk about like a barrel of beer at Christmas under hourly apprehension of being tapped it is very strange said the philosophic Augustus but I think there is a state in tradesmen by which they can tell a rogue at first sight and I can get dress ever so well no more credit with my laundry stand my friends the wigs can with the people in short then said that we must recur at once to the road and on the day after tomorrow there will be an excellent opportunity the old Earl with the hard name gives a breakfast or a feast or some such memory I understand people will stay till after nightfall let us we are famously mounted and some carriage later than the general string may furnish us with all our hearts can desire bravo cry Tomlinson shaking Mr pepper hardly by the hand I give you joy of your ingenuity and you may trust to me to make our peace afterwards with love it any enterprise that seems to him gallant he is always willing enough to forgive and as he never practices any other branch of the profession than that of the road for which I best that I think in foolish he will be more ready to look over our exploits in that line than in any other more subtle but less heroic well I leave it to you to propitiate the cove or not as you please and now that we have settled the main point let us finish the lunch and at it Augusta is taking a pack of cards from the chimney piece we can in the meanwhile have a quiet game at cribbage for shillings done cried Ned clearing away the dessert if the redoubted hearts of Mr Edward Pepper and that Ulysses of Robbers Augustus Tomlinson beat high as the hours brought on Lord Milover's that their leader was not without anxiety and expectation for the same event he was uninvited it is true to the gay scene but he had heard in public that Miss Brandon recovered from her late illness was certainly to be there and Clifford torn with suspense and eager once more even if last time to see the only person who had ever pierced his soul with a keen sense of his errors or crimes resolved to risk all obstacles and meet her at Milover's my life city as he said alone in his apartment I'm the falling embers of his still and lethargic fire may soon approach its termination it is indeed out of the chances of things that I can long escape the doom of my condition and when as a last hope to raise myself from my preferred state into respectability and reform I came hither and meditated purchasing independence by marriage I was blind to the cursed rascality of the action happy after all that my intentions were directed against one whom I so soon and so adoringly learned to love had I wooed one whom I loved less I might not have scrupled to deceive her into marriage as it is well it is idle in me to think thus of my solution when I have not even the option to choose when her father perhaps has already lifted the veil from my assumed dignities and the daughter already shrinks in horror from my name yet I will see her I will look once more upon that angel face I will hear from her own lips the confession of her scorn I will see that bright I flash hatred upon me and I can then turn once more to my fatal career and forget that I have ever repented that it was yet what else could have been my alternative friendless homeless nameless an orphan worse than an orphan the son of a harlot my father even unknown yet cursed with early aspiring and restlessness and a half glimmering of knowledge in an entire lust of whatever seemed enterprise what wonder that I chose anything rather than daily labor and perpetual contumely after all the fault is in fortune and the world not me oh Lucy had I but been born in your sphere had I but possessed the claim to merit you what would I not have done and dared and conquered for your sake such or similar to these were the thoughts of Clifford during the interval between his resolution of seeing Lucy and the time of effecting it the thoughts were of no pleasing though of an exciting nature nor were they greatly sued by the ingenious occupation of cheating himself into the belief that if he was a highwayman it was altogether the end of chapter 20 chapter 21 of Paul Clifford by Edward Bower Litton this liver box recording is in the public domain chapter 21 dream let me but see her dear Leontons humorous lieutenant Hems Kirk it was the fellow sure wolf or what are you Sarah beggar is bush although divine spirit that burnest in every breast with the sublime desire to be fine up the great to become little in order to seem greater and that make Duchess who insult for about sure now that is in so many shapes multifarious yet the same spirit that make the high despicable and the Lord meaner than his valet equally great whether the cheetahs a friend or cut as a father lackering all the touches with a bright vulgarity that the voteries imagine to be gold and this the few two fashionable balls and the many two fashionable novels that smite is even genius as well as folly making the favorites of the gods boast in acquaintance they have not with the graces of a mushroom period rather than the knowledge they have of the muses of an eternal helicon of our manners no dry spot for the foot of independence that polished on the jaded eye with a moving and girdling panorama of daubed vionesses and fritterist away the souls of freeborn Britons into a powder smaller than the angels which dance in myriads on a pins point whether oh spirit thou callest thy self fashion or tall or ambition or vanity or cringing or can't or any title equally lofty and sublime with that from thy wings we could gain but a single plume feign would we in fitting strain describe the festivities of that memorable day when the benevolent lord malevolver received and blessed the admiring universe of bath but to be less poetical as certain writers say when they have been writing nonsense but to be less poetical and more exact the morning though in the depth of winter was bright and clear and lord malevolver found himself in particularly good health nothing could be better planned than the whole of his which are ordinarily chosen for the express reason of being as foreign as possible to the nature of our climate all at lord malevolver were made suitable to a green land atmosphere the temples and summer houses interspersed through the grounds were fitted up some as Eskimo huts others as Russian pavilions fires were carefully kept up the musicians malevolver took care should have as much wine as they pleased they were set skillfully in places where they were unseen but where they could be heard one or two temporary buildings were erected for those who loved dancing and as malevolver miscalculating on the principles of human nature thought gentlemen might be a verse from ostentatious exhibition he had hired persons to skate minuettes and figures of eight upon his lakes for the amusement of those who were fond of skating all people who would be kind enough to dress in strange costumes and make odd noises which they call singing the earl had carefully engaged and planted in the best places for making them look still stranger than they were there was also plenty to eat and more than plenty to drink malevolver knew well that our countrymen and country women would ever be their rank like to have their spirits exalted in short the whole day was so admirably contrived that it was probable the guests would not look much more melancholy during the amusements than they would have done had they been otherwise engaged at a funeral Lucy and the square were among the first malevolver approaching the father and daughter with his most courtly manner insisted on taking the latter under his own escort and being her Cicero through the round of preparations as the crowd thickened and it was observed how gallant were the attentions testified towards Lucy by the host many and envious were the whispers of the guests those good people naturally angry at the thought that two individuals should be married divided themselves into two parties one abused Lucy and the other Lord malevolver the former vituperated her art the latter his folly I thought she would play her cards well deceitful creature said the one January and May muttered the other the man's 60 it was noticeable that the party against Lucy was chiefly composed of ladies that against malevolver of men that conduct must indeed be heinous which draws down the indignation of one's own sex unconscious of her crimes Lucy moved along leaning on the arm of the gallant Earl and languidly smiling with her heart far away at his endeavors to amuse her there was something interesting in the contrast of the pair so touching seemed the beauty of the young girl with her delicate cheek maiden form drooping eyelid and quiet simplicity of air in comparison to the worldly countenance and artificial grace of her companion after some time when they were in a sequestered part of the grounds the leverer observing that none were near entered a rude hut and so fascinated was he at that moment by the beauty of his guest and so me to him seemed the opportunity of his confession that he would difficulty suppress the avowal rising to his lips and took the more prudent plan of first sounding and preparing as it were the way I cannot tell you my dear Miss Brandon said he slightly pressing the beautiful hand leaning on his arm how happy I am to see you the guest the queen rather of my house ah could the bloom of youth return with its feelings time is never so cruel as when while stealing from us the power to please he leaves us in full vigor the unhappy privilege to be charmed the leverer expected at least a blushing contradiction to the implied application of a sentiment so affectingly expressed he was disappointed Lucy less alive than usual to the sentimental or its reverse scarcely perceived his meaning and answered simply that it was very true this comes of being like my friend Burke to refined for one's audience thought my leverer wincing a little from the unexpected reply and yet he resumed I would not forgo my power to admire feudal nay painful as it is even now while I gaze on you my heart tells me that the pleasure I enjoy it is that your command at once and forever to blight into misery but while it tells me I gaze on Lucy raised her eyes and something after natural arch miss played in their expression I believe my Lord said she moving from the hut that it would be better than your guests walls have ears and what would be the gay Lord my leverer's self-reproach if he heard again of his fine compliments to the most charming person in Europe cried my leverer vehemently and the hand which he before touched he now classed at that instant Lucy saw opposite to her half hit by a cops of evergreens the figure of Clifford his face which seemed pale and wand was not directed towards the place where she stood and he evidently did not perceive my leverer or herself yet so great was the effect that this glimpse of him produced on Lucy that she trembled violently and unconsciously uttering a faint cry snatched her hand from my leverer the Earl started and catching the expression of her eyes turned instantly towards the spot to which her gaze seemed riveted he had not heard the rustling of the bowels but he saw with his habitual quickness of remark that they still trembled as if lately displaced and he caught through their interst disease the glimpse of a receding figure he sprang forward with an agility very uncommon to his usual movements but before he gained every vestige of the intruder had vanished what slaves we are to the moment as my leverer turned back to rejoin Lucy who agitated almost to fainting leaned against the rude wall of the hut he would as soon have thought of flying as of making that generous offer of self etc which the instant before he had been burning to render Lucy the vein are always sensitively jealous and the leverer remembering Clifford and Lucy's blushes and dancing with him instantly accounted for her agitation and its cause with a very grave air he approached the object of his late adoration and requested to know if it were not some abrupt intruder that had occasioned her alarm Lucy scarcely knowing what he said answered in a low voice that it was indeed and begged instantly to rejoin her father my leverer offered his arm with great dignity and the pair passed into the frequented part of the grounds where my leverer once more brightened into smiles and courtesy to all around him he is certainly accepted said Mr. Shrew to Lady Semper what an immense match for the girl Lady Semper's reply amidst the music, the dancing the throng, the noise Lucy found it easy to recover herself and disengaging her arm from Lord my leverer as she perceived her father she rejoined the squire and remained a patient listener to his remarks till late in the noon it became an understood matter that people were expected to go into a long room in order to eat and drink my leverer now alive to the duties of his situation and feeling exceedingly angry with Lucy was more reconciled than he otherwise might have been to the etiquette which obliged him to select for the object of his hospitable cares and old Dowager Duchess instead of the beauty of the FET but he took care to point out to the squire the places appointed for himself and daughter which were though at some distance from the Earl under the providence of his vigilant survey while my leverer was deifying the Dowager Duchess and refreshing his spirits with a chicken and a medicinal glass of Madeira the conversation near Lucy turned to her infinite dismay upon Clifford someone had seen him in the grounds booted and in a riding undress in that day people seldom rode and danced in the same conformation of coat and as my leverer was a precise person about those little matters of etiquette this negligence of Clifford's made quite a subject of discussion by degrees the conversation changed into the old inquiry as to who this Captain Clifford was and just as it had reached that point it reached also the gently deafened ears of Lord my leverer pray my lord said the old Duchess since he is one of your guests who know who and what everyone is can possibly inform us of the real family of this beautiful Mr Clifford one of my guests did you say and similar ever irritated greatly beyond his usual quietness of manner really your grace does me wrong he may be a guest of my valet but he is surely is not mine and should I encounter him I shall leave it to my valet to give him his conge his invitation my leverer heightening his voice as he observed at the table an alternate paleness and flushed upon Lucy's face which stung all the angrier passions generally torpedoed in him into venom looked round on concluding with a haughty and sarcastic air so loud had been his tone so pointed the insult and so dead the silence at the table while that everyone felt the affront must be carried at once to Clifford's hearing should he be in the room and after my lever had ceased there was a universal nervous and indistinct expectation of an answer and a scene all was still and it soon became certain that Clifford was not in the apartment Mr Shrewd had fully convinced himself of this fact for there was a daring spirit about Clifford who wished to draw upon themselves that person each broke the pause by observing that no man who pretended to be a gentleman would intrude himself unasked and unwelcome into any society and my lever catching up the observation said drinking wine at the same time with Mr Shrewd that undoubtedly such conduct fully justified the rumors respecting Mr Clifford and utterly excluded him from that rank to which it was before more than suspected he had no claim so luminous and satisfactory an opinion from such an authority once broached was immediately and universally echoed and long before the repast was over it seemed to be tacitly agreed that Captain Clifford should be sent to Coventry and if he murmured at the exile he would have no right to insist upon being sent thence to the devil the good old squire mindful of his former friendship for Clifford and not up to there was about to begin a speech on the occasion when Lucy touching his arm implored him to be silent and so ghastly was the paleness of her cheek while she spoke that the squire's eyes obtuse as he generally was opened at once to the real secret of her heart as soon as the truth flashed upon him he wondered recalling Clifford's great personal beauty and marked attentions that it had not flashed upon him sooner and leaning back on his chair he sank into one of the most unpleasant reveries he had ever conceived at a given signal the music for the dancers reccomends and at a hint to that effect from the host persons rose without ceremony to repair other amusements and suffer such ghast as had hitherto been excluded from eating to occupy the place of the relinquishers Lucy glad to escape was one of the first to resign her situation and with the squire she returned to the grounds during the banquet evening had closed in and the scene now really became fairy like and picturesque lamps hung from many a tree reflecting the light through the richest and softest hues the music itself sounded more musically than during the day gypsy tents were pitched at wild corners and copses and the bright wood fires burning in them blazed merrily upon the cold yet cheerful air of the increasing night the view was really novel and inviting and as it had been an understood matter that ladies were to bring furs cloaks and boots they thought they looked well in such a ray made little groups and scattered themselves about the grounds and in the tents they on the contrary in whom the purple light of love was apt by the frost to be propelled from the cheeks to the central ornament of the face where we thought a fire in a room quite as agreeable as a fire in a tent remained within and contemplated the scene through the open windows Lucy longed to return home nor was the squire reluctant but unhappily it wanted an hour to the time at which the carriage had been ordered and she mechanically joined a group of guests who had persuaded the good nature squire to forget his gout and venture forth to look at the illuminations her party was soon joined by others and the group gradually thickened into a crowd the throng was stationary for a few minutes before a little temple in which fireworks had just commenced an additional attraction to the scene opposite to this temple as well as in its rear the walks and trees had been purposely left in comparative darkness in order to heighten the effect of the fireworks I declare said Lady Simper glancing down one of the alleys which seemed to stretch away into blackness I declare it seems quite a lover's walk how kind and Lord my lover such a delicate attention to your ladieship added Mr. shrewd with a bow while one of this crowd Lucy was vacantly eyeing the long trains of light whichever and a non shot against the sky she felt her hand suddenly seized and at the same time a voice whispered for God's sake read this now and grant my request the voice which seemed to rise from the very edge of the speaker Lucy knew at once she trembled violently and remained for some minutes with eyes which did not dare to look from the ground a note she felt had been left in her hand and the agonized and earnest tone of that voice which was dearer to her than the fullness of all music made her impatient yet afraid to read it as she recovered courage she looked around and seeing that the attention of all her works and that her father in particular leaning on his cane seemed to enjoy the spectacle with her child's engrossed delight she glided softly away and entering unperceived one of the alleys she read by a solitary lamp that burned at its entrance the following lines written in pencil and in a hurried hand apparently upon a leaf torn from a pocket book I implore I and treat you Miss Brandon to see me if but for a moment I propose to tear myself away from the place in which you reside to go abroad to leave even the spot hallowed by your footstep after this night my presence my presumption will degrade you no more but this night for mercy's sake see me or I shall go mad I will but speak to you one instant this is all I ask if you grant me this prayer the walk to the left where you stand at the entrance to which there is one purple lamp will afford an opportunity to your mercy a few yards down that walk I will meet you none can see or hear us will you grant this I know not I dare not think but under any case your name shall be the last upon my lips P C as Lucy read this hurried scroll she glanced towards the lamp above her and saw that she accidentally entered the very walk indicated in the note she paused she hesitated the impropriety the singularity of the request darted upon her at once on the other hand the anxious voice still ringing in her ear the incoherent vehemence of the note the risk of the opprobrium Clifford had incurred solely her heart whispered to see her all aided her simple temper her kind feelings of a petitioner in inducing her to consent she cast one glance behind all seemed occupied with far other thoughts than that of notice towards her she looked anxiously before all looked gloomy and indistinct but suddenly at some little distance she described a dark figure in motion she felt her knees shake under her her heart beat violently she moved on with a few paces again paused and looked back the figure before her moved as in approach she was encouraged and advanced the figure was by her side how generous how condescending is this goodness in Miss Brandon said the voice which so struggled with secret and strong emotion that Lucy scarcely recognized it as Clifford's I did not dare to expect it and now now that I meet you Clifford paused as Lucy seeking words and Lucy even through the dark perceived that her strange companion was powerfully excited she waited for him to continue but observing that he walked on in silence she said with a trembling voice indeed Mr. Clifford I fear that it is very very improper of me to meet you thus nothing but the strong expressions in your letter and in short my fear that you meditated with desperate design at which I could not guess caused me to yield to your wish for an interview she paused and Clifford still preserving silence she added with some little coldness in her tone if you have really ought to say to me you must allow me to request that you speak it quickly this interview you must be sensible ought to end almost as soon as it begins hear me then said Clifford mastering his embarrassment and clear voice is that true which I have but just heard is it true that I have been spoken of in your presence in terms of insult in the front he was now for Lucy to feel embarrassed fearful to give pain and yet anxious that Clifford should know in order that he might disprove the slight and the suspicion which the mystery around him drew upon his name she faltered between the two feelings and without satisfying the latter succeeded in realizing the fear of the former enough said Clifford in a tone of deep mortification as his quick ear caught and interpreted yet more humiliatingly than the truth the meaning of her stammered and confused reply enough I see that it is true and that the only human being in the world to whose good opinion I am not indifferent has been a witness of the insulting manner in which others have dared to speak of me but said Lucy eagerly why give the envious or the idle any excuse why not suffer your parentage and family to be publicly known why are you here and her voice sank into a lower key this very day unasked and therefore subject to the cavals of all who think the poor distinction of an invitation and honor forgive me Mr. Clifford perhaps I offend I hurt you by speaking thus frankly you seem rest with yourself and your friends cannot but feel angry that you should trifle with it madam said Clifford and Lucy's eyes now growing accustomed to the darkness perceived a bitter smile upon his lips my name good or ill is an object of little care to me I've read a philosopher's reply themselves in placing no value in the opinions of the world rank me among that sect but I am I own I am anxious that you alone of all the world should not despise me and now that I feel you do that you must everything worth living or hoping for is past despise you said Lucy and her eyes filled with tears indeed you wrong me and yourself but listen to me Mr. Clifford I've seen it is true but little of the world yet I've seen enough to make me wish I could have lived in retirement forever the rarest quality among either sex though it is the simplest seems to me good nature and the only occupation of what our term fashionable people appears to be speaking ill of one another nothing gives such a scope to scandal as mystery nothing disarms it like openness I know your friends know Mr. Clifford that your character can bear inspection and I believe for my own part the same of your family why not then declare who you are that candor would indeed be my best defender said Clifford in a tone which ran displeasingly through Lucy's ear but in truth madam I repeat I care not one drop of this worthless blood what men say of me that time has passed and forever perhaps it never keenly existed for me no matter I came hither Miss Brandon not wasting a thought on the sickening foolers or on the hoary idler by whom they are I came hither only once more to see you to hear you speak to watch you move to tell you and the speakers voice trembled so as to be scarcely audible to tell you if any reason for the disclosure offered itself that I've had the boldness the crime to love to love oh God to adore you and then to leave you forever pale trembling scarcely preserved from falling by the tree against which she leaned Lucy listen to this abrupt vow dare I touch this hand continue Clifford as he knelt and took it timidly and reverently you know not you cannot dream how unworthy is he who thus presumes yet not all unworthy while he is sensible of so deep so holy a feeling as that which he bears to you God bless you Miss Brandon Lucy God bless you and if hereafter you hear me subjective to still black or suspicion or severe scrutiny than that which I now sustain if even your charity and goodness can find no defense for me if the suspicion become certainty and the scrutiny and in condemnation believe at least that circumstances have carried me beyond my nature and that under fair auspices I might have been other than I am Lucy's tear dropped upon Clifford's hand as he spoke and while his heart melted within him as he felt and knew his own desperate and unredeemed condition he added everyone courts you the proud the rich the young the high born all are at your feet you will select one of that number for your husband may he watch over you as I would have done love you as I do he cannot yes I repeat it continued Clifford vehemently he cannot none amidst the gay happy silken crowd of your equals and followers I feel for you that single and overruling passion which makes you to meet what all combined country power wealth reputation an honest name peace common safety the quiet of the common air alike the least blessing and the greatest are to all others once more may God in heaven watch over you and preserve you I tear myself on leaving you from all that cheers or raises or might have saved me farewell the hand which Lucy had relinquished to her strange pseudo was pressed ardently to his lips dropped in the same instant and she knew that she was once more alone but Clifford herring rapidly through the trees made his way towards the nearest gate which led from Lord malevers domain when he reached it a crowd of the more elderly guests occupied the entrance and one of these was a lady of such distinction that malever in spite of his aversion to any superfluous exposure to the night air had obliged himself to conduct her to her carriage he was in a very ill humor with this constrained politeness especially as the carriage was very slow in believing him of his charge when he saw by the lamp light Clifford passing near him and winning his way to the gate quite forgetting his worldly prudence which should have made him averse to scenes with anyone especially with a flying enemy and a man with whom if he believed a right little gory was to be gained in conquest much less in contest and only remembering Clifford's rival ship and his own hatred towards him for the presumption malever uttering a hurried apology to the lady on his arm stepped forward and opposing Clifford's progress said with a bow of tranquil insult pardon me sir but is it at my invitation or that of one of my servants that you have honored me with your company this day Clifford's thoughts at the time of this interruption were of that nature before which all petty misfortunes shrink into nothing if therefore he started for a moment at the Earl's address he betrayed no embarrassment in reply the bowing with an error of respect and taking no notice of the affront implied by the revered speech he answered your lordship has only to dain a glance at my dress to see that I have not intruded myself on your grounds with the intention of claiming your hospitality the fact is and I trust to your lordship's courtesy to admit the excuse that I leave this neighborhood tomorrow and for some length of time a person whom I was very anxious to see before I left was one of your lordship's guests I knew that I should have no other opportunity of meeting the person in question before my departure and I must now throw myself on the well-known politeness of Lord Malever to pardon a freedom originating in a business very much approaching to a necessity Lord Malever's address to Clifford had congregated an immediate crowd of eager and expectant listeners but so quietly respectful and really gentlemen like where Clifford's air and tone excusing himself that the whole throng were smitten with a sudden disappointment Lord Malever himself surprised by the temper and deportment of the unbidden guest was at a loss for one moment and Clifford was about to take advantage of that moment and glide away when Malever with a second bow more civil than the former one said I cannot but be happy sir that my poor place has afforded you any convenience but if I am not very fortunate will you allow me to inquire the name of my guest with whom you require to meeting my Lord said Clifford drawing himself up and speaking gravely and sternly though still with a certain difference I need not surely point out to your Lordship's good sense and good feeling that your very question implies a doubt and consequently in the front and that the tone of it is not such as to justify that concession on my part which the further explanation you require would imply you spoken sarcasm could be so bitter as that silent one which Malever could command by a smile and with his complimentary expression on his thin lips and raised brow the earl answered sir I honor the skill testified by your reply it must be the result of a profound experience in these affairs I wish you sir a very good night and the next time you favor me with a visit I'm quite sure that your motives for so indulging me will be no less creditable to you than at present with these words will ever turn to rejoin his fair charge but Clifford was a man who had seen in a short time a great deal of the world and knew tolerably well the theories of society if not the practice of its minutia more over he was of an acute and resolute temper and these properties of mind natural and acquired told him that he was now in a situation in which it had become more necessary to defy than to conciliate instead therefore of retiring he walked deliberately up to malever and said my lord I shall leave it to the judgment of your guests to decide whether you have acted the part of a nobleman and a gentleman in thus in your domains insulting one who has given you such explanation of his trespass as would fully excuse him in the eyes of all considerate or courteous persons I shall also leave it to them to decide whether the tone of your inquiry allowed me to give you any further apology but I shall take it upon myself my lord to demand from you an immediate explanation of your last speech insolent cried malever covering with indignation and almost for the first time in his life losing absolute demand over his temper do you bandy words with me be gone I shall order my servants to thrust you forth be gone sir be gone cried several voices in echo to malever from those persons who deemed it now high time to take part with the powerful Clifford stood his ground gazing around with a look of angry and defying content which joined to his athletic frame his dark and fierce eye and a heavy writing whip which as if mechanically he phrased if actually kept the murmurs from proceeding to violence poor pretender to breeding and to sense that he disdainfully turning to malever with one touch of this whip I could shame you forever or compel you to descend from the level of your rank to that of mine and the action would be but a mild return to your language but I love rather to teach you than to correct according to my creed my lord he conquers most in good breeding who for bears the most scorn enables me to for bear a view with this Clifford turned on his heel and strode away a murmur approaching to a ground from the younger or sillier part of the parasites the mature and the sensible have no extra emotion to throw away follow him as he disappeared appeared into chapter 21