Richard Carvel -- Volume 02

ment? Because, forsooth, my hair is white now, does Bess flatter herself I do not know her secret? Or does Comyn believe that these old eyes can see no farther than the spectacles

to talk of Miss Dorothy near as much as I. He had served her grandfather, and people said that had it not been for McAndrews, the Manners fortune had long since been scattered, since Mr. Marmaduke knew nothing

nner to me was now of studied kindness, and he was at greater pains than before to give me no excuse for offence. I had little to say to

ere alone, my plain speaking did not seem to anger him, or affect him in any way. Others came, too. Such was the affection Mr. Carvel's friends

hey were never so busy for his wants. Mrs. Willis's dainties were often untouched, and he would frequently sit for hours between slumber and waking, or mumble to himself as I read the prints. But about the time of the equinoctial a great gale came out of the south so strongly that the water rose in the river over the boat lan

raised his cane above his shoulder and struck the bark so heavily that the silver head sunk deep into the wood. "Look you, Richard," he said, the water coming into his eyes, "look you, the heart of it is gone, lad; and when the heart is rotten 'tis time f

m. And from that day, I say, he began to mend. The lacing of red came again to his cheeks, and bef

eady made. I found Betty Tayloe had had a letter, filled with the fashion in caps and gowns, and the mention of more than one noble name. All of this being, for unknown reasons, sacred, I was read only part of the postscript, in which I figured: "The London Season was done almost before we arrived," so it ran. "We had but the Opportunity to pay

if she were coming bac

e poured me

ver Club with a dozen young beauties. But cantering through the winter mists 'twas Dolly, in her red riding-cloak and white beaver, I saw beside me. None of them had her seat in the saddle, and none of them her light ha

Bentley Manor, where I had been a-visiting the Fothering

abroad, Richard?" she asked, a

line,"

"you tell me that! Whe

ll not have

r news was a rare luxury in those days, and Patty wa

he vapours to-night for

you must,-Dr. Courten

hat Dolly is to marry h

re

sturbed," I answered, wi

was burning bright. And I sa

deny us at the first whisper! And I thought you the most constant of all. For my

cried. "Dolly always held a coronet above her

t she is loyal to the core, tho' she has a fop of a father who would serve his Grace's cho

w, I would repeat it,"

ter for what

t the assembly. And Betty tells me there is a young lord among them,-la! I have clean forgot the string of adjectives she used,-but she would have had

een the man-o'-war in the harbou

that endeared it to me. The ladies in flowered aprons and caps and brocades and trains, and the gentlemen in brilliant coats, trimmed with lace and stiffened with buckram. That night, as Patty had predicted, there was a smart sprinkling of uniforms from the Thunderer. One of those officers hel

all Betty claimed for them!" exclaimed Patty. Mr. Lloyd, who was sta

" said he, "as I have done for a dozen

yn," said he. "Your Lordship, on

carlet with which his L

while he made

Mr. Lloyd!" he cried.

I vow they excel

more, my Lord," said

s pred

," declared Comyn. "I p

me on the instant with his open

el, whom I hear wins every

med, my Lord," I replied, flas

could ride down the devil himself, and he we

said his Lordship; "or I shall be con

ght, he gave himself not half the airs over us provincials as did many of his messmates. Even Mr. Jacques, who was sour as last

and now she undertook to be responsible for his Lordship's pleasure at Annapolis, that he might meet only those of the first fashion. Seeing him talking to Patty, m

nial reel, which is about to begin, and I warra

. Carvel," says his Lor

has done me

room, "I vow I cannot keep pace wit

yn, instantly, with a mischievous look at me, wh

ance she got hold of him, keeping him until certain designing ladies with daughters took him away; their names charity forbids me to mention. But in spite of them all he contrived to get Patty for supper, when I took Betty Tayloe, and we were very merry at table together. His Lordship proved more than able

e, "but I think she's

the young ladi

I

our astonished nods, he continued: "Why, she descended upon Mayfair when they were so weary f

aimed Patty, her voice q

e last minute for a word with her,-which I never got, by the way,-and paid near a guinea a mile for a chaise to Portsmouth as

be sure. And yet, I m

nd," said Betty, with a smile, "I give you war

e not who knows it. To pass her chariot is to have your heart stolen, and you must needs run after and beg mercy. But, l

s all a-

atty. "You agree that we are beautiful, yet to hea

e for alliance with so brilliant and distant an object. I make small doubt those are Mr. Carvel's sentiments, and still

s met

tic than you, my Lord,"

t that I adore Miss

s Patty; and "Good!" c

nd then Comyn swung sudd

ven chimes I have heard her mention y

ed, in surprise, and

with the hounds nigh across Hertfordshire, and Miss Manners brought him up with a round turn and a half hitch by relating one of your exploits, Richard Carvel. And take my word on't she got no small applause. She told how you had followed a fox over one

f she were to marry a duke! My thoughts began to whirl over all Comyn

uld as soon marry a chairman or a chimneysweep, I'm thinking. Why,

"I think Sir Charles wo

oth