CHAP. XXXVII.] His gardens were destroyed-his pavilions levelled his splendid stables demolished-the whole pomp of his suburban demesne laid waste, cumbered with ruins, and intersected with the foundations of new What! do you play at crambo with me?" said buildings and cellars, and the process of levelling different lines for the intended streets. But the undertaking, although it proved afterwards both lucra- the Duke. "I would have you know that the comtive and successful, met with a check at the outset, mon parish fool should be whipt, were he to attempt partly from want of the necessary funds, partly from to pass pun or quodlibet as a genuine jest, even And yet I have heard your Grace indulge in the the impatient and mercurial temper of the Duke, amongst ticket-porters and hackney-chairmen." which soon carried him off in pursuit of some more "Sirrah Jerningham," answered the patron, "disnew object. So that, though much was demolished, jeu de mots," answered the attendant. very little, in comparison, was reared up in the stead, and nothing was completed. The principal part of card thy memory, or keep it under correction, else it will the ducal mansion still remained uninjured; but the hamper thy rise in the world. Thou mayst perchance demesne in which it stood bore a strange analogy to have seen me also have a fancy to play at trap-ball, the irregular mind of its noble owner. Here stood a or to kiss a serving-wench, or to guzzle ale and eat beautiful group of exotic trees and shrubs, the remnant toasted cheese in a porterly whimsy; but is it fitting of the garden, amid yawning common-sewers and thou shouldst remember such follies? No more on't. heaps of rubbish. In one place an old tower threat--Hark you; how came the long lubberly fool, Jenened to fall upon the, spectator; and in another, he kins, being a master of the noble science of defence, ran the risk of being swallowed up by a modern vault. to suffer himself to be run through the body so simply Grandeur of conception could be discovered in the by a rustic swain like this same Peveril ?" undertaking, but was almost every where marred by poverty or negligence of execution. In short, the whole place was the true emblem of an understanding and talents run to waste, and become more dangerous than advantageous to society, by the want of steady principle, and the improvidence of the pos There were men who took a different view of the Duke's purpose in permitting his mansion to be thus surrounded, and his demesne occupied by modern buildings which were incomplete, and ancient which were but half demolished. They alleged, that, engaged as he was in so many mysteries of love and of Repolitics, and having the character of the most daring and dangerous intriguer of his time, his Grace found it convenient to surround himself with this ruinous arena, into which officers of justice could not penetrate without some difficulty and hazard; and which might afford, upon occasion, a safe and secret shelter for such tools as were fit for desperate enterprises, and a private and unobserved mode of access to those whom he might have any special reason for receiving in secret. Leaving Peveril in the Tower, we must once more convey our readers to the levee of the Duke, who, on the morning of Julian's transference to that fortress, thus addressed his minister-in-chief, and principal attendant:-"I have been so pleased with your conduct in this matter, Jerningham, that if Old Nick were to arise in our presence, and offer me his best imp, as a familiar in thy room, I would hold it but a poor compliment." "A legion of imps," said Jerningham, bowing, "could not have been more busy than I in your Grace's service; but if your Grace will permit me to say so, your whole plan was well nigh marred by your not returning home till last night, or rather this morning." And why, I pray you, sage Master Jerningham," said his Grace, "should I have returned home an instant sooner than my pleasure and convenience Ay, indeed ?" said the Duke, taking his own that. I am somewhat rusted, and have need of sheathed rapier in his hand, "I could not have thought breathing. Peveril is a name of note. As well go to Barns-elms, or behind Montagu House, with him as with another. His father a rumoured plotter, too. The public would have noted it in me as becoming a zealous Protestant. Needful I do something to maintain my good name in the city, to atone for nonattendance on prayer and preaching. But your Laertes is fast in the Fleet; and I suppose his blundering "Recovering, my lord, on the contrary," replied blockhead of an antagonist is dead or dying." "the blade fortunately avoided his Jerningham; vitals.' "D-n his vitals!" answered the Duke. "Tell him to postpone his recovery, or I will put him to death in earnest." "I will caution his surgeon," said Jerningham, "which will answer equally well." 'Do so; and tell him he had better be on his own deathbed as cure his patient till I send him notice."There is little danger," said the attendant. "I That young fellow must be let loose again at no rate." hear some of the witnesses have got their net flung over him on account of some matters down in the for that, and for some letters of the Countess of Derby, north; and that he is to be translated to the Tower as rumour goes." "To the Tower let him go, and get out as he can," replied the Duke;" and when you hear he is fast there, let the fencing fellow recover as fast as the surgeon and he can mutually settle it." The Duke, having said this, took two or three turns in the apartment, and appeared to be in deep thought. His attendant waited the issue of his meditations at which his mind was strongly directed in one point, leisure, being well aware that such moods, during were never of so long duration with his patron as to Accordingly, after the silence of seven or eight prove a severe burden to his own patience. minutes, the Duke broke through it, taking from the "Jerningham," he said, "thou art a faithful fellow, and toilette a large silk purse, which seemed full of gold. at Maul on his bold defiance. The honour is enough it would be sin not to cherish thee. I beat the King Jerningham pocketed the purse with due acknowfor me; and thou, my boy, shalt have the winnings.' ledgments. Jerningham," his Grace continued, "I know you blame me for changing my plans too often; and on my soul I have heard you so learned on the subject, that I have become of your opinion, and have been vexed at myself for two or three hours together, for not sticking as constantly to one object, as doubtless I shall, when age, (touching his forehead) shall make this same weathercock too rusty to turn with the changing breeze. But as yet, while I have spirit and | some do," said Jerningham; "but, for a strong, firm, action, let it whirl like the vane at the mast-head, concentrated indignation, I have seen none to match which teaches the pilot how to steer his course; and her." when I shift mine, think I am bound to follow fortune, and not to control her." "I can understand nothing from all this, please your Grace," replied Jerningham, save that you have been pleased to change some purposed measures, and think that you have profited by doing so." "You shall judge yourself," replied the Duke. "I have seen the Duchess of Portsmouth.-You start. It is true, by Heaven! I have seen her, and from sworn enemies we have become sworn friends. The treaty between such high and mighty powers had some weighty articles; besides, I nad a French negotiator to deal with; so that you will allow a few hours' absence was but a necessary interval to make up our matters of diplomacy." "Your Grace astonishes me," said Jerningham, "Christian's plan of supplanting the great lady is then entirely abandoned? I thought you had but desired to have the fair successor here, in order to carry it on under your own management." "I forget what I meant at the time," said the Duke; "unless that I was resolved she should not jilt me as she did the good-natured man of royalty; and so I am still determined, since you put me in mind of the fair Dowsabelle. But I had a contrite note from the Duchess while we were at the Mall. I went to see her, and found her a perfect Niobe.-On my soul, in spite of red eyes and swelled features, and dishevelled hair, there are, after all, Jerningham, some women, who do, as the poets say, look lovely in affliction. Out came the cause; and with such humility, uch penitence, such throwing herself on my mercy, (she the proudest devil, too, in the whole Court,) that I must have had heart of steel to resist it all. In short, Chiffinch in a drunken fit had played the babbler, and let young Saville into our intrigue. Saville plays the rogue, and informs the Duchess by a messenger, who luckily came a little late into the market. She learned, too, being a very devil for intelligence, that there had been some jarring between the master and me about this new Phillis; and that I was most likely to catch the bird, as any one may see who looks on us both. It must have been Empson who fluted all this into her Grace's ear; and thinking she saw how her ladyship and I could hunt in couples, she entreats me to break Christian's scheme, and keep the wench out of the King's sight, especially if she were such a rare piece of perfection as fame has reported her." And your Grace has promised her your hand to uphold the influence which you have so often threatened to ruin ?" said Jerningham. "Ay, Jerningham; my turn was as much served when she seemed to own herself in my power, and cry me mercy. And observe, it is all one to me by which ladder I climb into the King's cabinet. That of Portsmouth is ready fixed-better ascend by it than fling it down to put up another—I hate all unnecessary trouble." And Christian?" said Jerningham. "May go to the devil for a self-conceited ass. One p.easure of this twist of intrigue is, to revenge me of that villain, who thought himself so essential, that, by Heaven! he forced himself on my privacy, and lectured me like a schoolboy. Hang the cold-blooded hypocritical vermin! If he mutters, I will have his nose slit as wide as Coventry's.*-Hark ye, is the Colonel come?" "I expect him every moment, your Grace." "Send him up when he arrives," said the Duke. "Why do you stand looking at me? What would you have?" ་་ "Your Grace's direction respecting the lady," said Jerningham. young "Odd zooks," said the Duke, "I had totally forgotten her.-Is she very tearful ?-Exceedingly afflicted?" "She does not take on so violently as I have seen The ill usage of Sir John Coventry by some of the Life Guardsmen, in revenge of something said in Parliament concerning the King's theatrical amours, gave rise to what was called Coventry's Act, against cutting and maiming the person. "Well, we will permit her to cool. I will not face the affliction of a second fair one immediately. I am tired of snivelling, and swelled eyes, and blubbered cheeks, for some time; and, moreover, must husband my powers of consolation. Begone, and send the Colonel." "Will your Grace permit me one other question?" demanded his confidant. "Ask what thou wilt, Jerningham, and then be gone." "Your Grace has determined to give up Christian," said the attendant. "May I ask what becomes of the kingdom of Man ?" "Forgotten, as I have a Christian soul !" said the Duke; as much forgotten as if I had never nourished that scheme of royal ambition.-D-n it, we must knit up the ravelled skein of that intrigue.-Yet it is but a miserable rock, not worth the trouble I have been bestowing on it; and for a kingdom--it has a sound indeed; but, in reality, I might as well stick a cock-chicken's feather into my hat, and call it a plume. Besides, now I think upon it, it would scarce be honourable to sweep that petty royalty out of Derby's possession. I won a thousand pieces of the young Earl when he was last here, and suffered him to hang about me at Court. I question if the whole revenue of his kingdom is worth twice as much. Easily I could win it of him, were he here, with less trouble than it would cost me to carry on these troublesome intrigues of Christian's." "If I may be permitted to say so, please your Grace," answered Jerningham, “although your Grace is perhaps somewhat liable to change your mind, no man in England can afford better reasons for doing so." "I think so myself, Jerningham," said the Duke; "and it may be it is one reason for my changing. One likes to vindicate his own conduct, and to find out fine reasons for doing what one has a mind to.And now, once again, begone. Or, hark ye hark ye-I shall need some loose gold. You may leave the purse I gave you; and I will give you an order for as much, and two years' interest, on old Jacob Doublefee." ་་ As your Grace pleases," said Jerningham, his whole stock of complaisance scarcely able to conceal his mortification at exchanging for a distant order, of a kind which of late had not been very regularly honoured, the sunny contents of the purse which had actually been in his pocket. Secretly but solemnly did he make a vow, that two years' interest alone should not be the compensation for this involuntary exchange in the form of his remuneration. As the discontented dependant left the apartment, he met, at the head of the grand staircase, Christian himself, who, exercising the freedom of an ancient friend of the house, was making his way unannounced, to the Duke's dressing-apartment. Jerningham, conjecturing that his visit at this crisis would be any thing but well-timed, or well-taken, endeavoured to avert his purpose, by asserting that the Duke was indisposed, and in his bedchamber; and this he said so loud that his master might hear him, and, if he pleased, realize the apology which he offered in his name, by retreating into the bed-room as his last sanctuary, and drawing the bolt against intrusion. But, far from adopting a stratagem to which he had had recourse on former occasions, in order to avoid those who came upon him, though at an appointed hour, and upon business of importance, Buckingham called, in a loud voice, from his dressing-apartment, commanding his chamberlain instantly to introduce his good friend Master Christian, and censuring him for hesitating for an instant to do so. "Now," thought Jerningham within himself, "if Christian knew the Duke as well as I do, he would sooner stand the leap of a lion, like the London 'prentice bold, than venture on my master at this moment, who is even now in a humour nearly as dangerous as the animal." He then ushered Christian into his master's pre sence, taking care to post himself within ear-shot of the door. CHAPTER XXXVIII. "Speak not of niceness, when there's chance of wreck." As the devil laughs when keen folks cheat the cheaters." THERE was nothing in the Duke's manner towards Christian which could have conveyed to that latter personage, experienced as he was in the worst possible ways of the world, that Buckingham would, at that particular moment, rather have seen the devil than himself; unless it was that Buckingham's reception of him, being rather extraordinarily courteous towards so old an acquaintance, might have excited some degree of suspicion. 66 'Oh, my Lord Duke," answered Christian, “I am not one whom you can impose on by this species of courtly jargon. I know of what your Grace is capable; and that to gratify the caprice of a moment, you would not hesitate to disappoint even the schemes at which you yourself have laboured most busily.-Suppose this jest played off. Take your laugh at those simple precautions by which I intended to protect your Grace's interest, as well as that of others. Let us know the extent of your frolic, and consider how far its consequences can be repaired.", On my word, Christian," said the Duke, laughing, you are the most obliging of uncles and of guardians. Let your niece pass through as many adventures as Boccaccio's bride of the King of Garba, you care not. Pure or soiled, she will still make the footstool of your fortune." Having escaped with some difficulty from the vague" region of general compliments, which bears the same relation to that of business that Milton informs us the Limbo Patrum has to the sensible and material earth, Christian asked his Grace of Buckingham, with the same blunt plainness with which he usually veiled a very deep and artificial character, whether he had lately seen Chiffinch or his helpmate? "Neither of them lately," answered Buckingham. "Have not you waited on them yourself?-I thought you would have been more anxious about the great scheme." "I have called once and again," said Christian, "but I can gain no access to the sight of that important couple. I begin to be afraid they are paltering with me." "Which, by the welkin and its stars, you would not be slow in avenging, Master Christian. I know your puritanical principles on that point well," said the Duke. "Revenge may be well said to be sweet, when so many grave and wise men are ready to exchange for it all the sugar-plums which pleasures offer to the poor sinful people of the world, besides the reversion of those which they talk of expecting in the way of post obit." You may jest, my lord," said Christian, "but still". "But still you will be revenged on Chiffinch, and his little commodious companion. And yet the task may be difficult-Chiffinch has so many ways of obliging his master-his little woman is such a convenient pretty sort of a screen, and has such winning little ways of her own, that, in faith, in your case, would not meddle with them. What is this refusing their door, man? We all do it to our best friends now and then, as well as to duns and dull company.' "If your Grace is in a humour of rambling thus wildly in your talk," said Christian, "you know my old faculty of patience I can wait till it be your pleasure to talk more seriously." "Seriously!" said his Grace-" Wherefore not ?I only wait to know what your serious business may be." In a word, my lord, from Chiffinch's refusal to see me, and some vain calls which I have made at your Grace's mansion, I am afraid either that our plan has miscarried, or that there is some intention to exclude me from the further conduct of the matter.' Christian pronounced these words with considerable emphasis. That were folly, as well as treachery," returned the Duke, "to exclude from the spoil the very engineer who conducted the attack. But hark ye, ChristianI am sorry to tell bad news without preparation; but as you insist on knowing the worst, and are not ashamed to suspect your best friends, out it must come.-Your niece left Chiffinch's house the morning before yesterday." Christian staggered, as if he had received a severe blow; and the blood ran to his face in such a current of passion, that the Duke concluded he was struck with an apoplexy, But, exerting the extraordinary command which he could maintain under the most An Indian proverb says, that the dart of contempt will even pierce through the shell of the tortoise; but this is more peculiarly the case when conscience tells the subject of the sarcasm that it is justly merited. Christian, stung with Buckingham's reproach, at once assumed a haughty and threatening mien, totally inconsistent with that in which sufferance seemed to be as much his badge as that of Shylock. "You are a foul-mouthed and most unworthy lord," he said; "and as such I proclaim you, unless you make reparation for the injury you have done me." "And what," said the Duke of Buckingham, "shall I proclaim you, that can give you the least title to notice from such as I am? What name shall I bestow on the little transaction which has given rise to such unexpected misunderstanding?" Christian was silent, either from rage or from mental conviction. "Come, come, Christian," said the Duke, smiling, "we know too much of each other to make a quarrel safe. Hate each other we may-circumvent each other-it is the way of Courts-but proclaim!-a fico for the phrase." "I used it not," said Christian, "till your Grace drove me to extremity. You know, my lord, I have fought both at home and abroad; and you should not rashly think that I will endure any indignity which blood can wipe away." "On the contrary," said the Duke, with the same civil and sneering manner, "I can confidently assert, that the life of half a score of your friends would seem very light to you, Christian, if their existence interfered, I do not say with your character, as being a thing of much less consequence, but with any advantage which their existence might intercept.-Fie, upon it, man, we have known each other long. I never thought you a coward; and am only glad to see I could strike a few sparkles of heat out of your cold and constant disposition. I will now, if you please, tell you at once the fate of the young lady, in which I pray you to believe that I am truly interested." "I hear you, my Lord Duke," said Christian. "The curl of your upper-lip, and your eyebrow, does not escape me. Your Grace knows the French proverb, 'He laughs best who laughs last.' But I hear you.' Thank Heaven you do," said Buckingham; "for your case requires haste, I promise you, and involves no laughing matter. Well, then, hear a simple truth, on which (if it became me to offer any pledge for what I assert to be such) I could pledge life, fortune, and honour. It was the morning before last, when meeting with the King at Chiffinch's unexpectedly-in fact I had looked in to fool an hour away, and to learn how your scheme advanced-I saw a singular scene. Your niece terrified little Chiffinch-(the hen Chiffinch, I mean ;) bid the King defiance to his teeth, and walked out of the presence triumphantly, under the guardianship of a young fellow of little mark or likelihood, excepting a tolerable personal presence, and the advantage of a most unconquerable impudence. Egad, I can hardly help laughing to think how the King and I were both baffled; for I will not deny, that I had tried to trifle for a moment with the fair Indamora. But, egad, the young fellow swooped her off from under our noses, like my own Drawcansir clearing off the banquet from the two Kings of Brentford. There was a dignity in the gallant's swaggering retreat which I must try to teach Mohun; it will suit his part admirably." แ "This is incomprehensible, my Lord Duke," said Christian, who by this time had recovered all his usual coolness; you cannot expect me to believe this. Who dared be so bold as to carry off my niece in such a manner, and from so august a presence? And with whom, a stranger as he must have been, would she, wise and cautious as I know her, have consented to depart in such a manner ?-My lord, I cannot believe this." "One of your priests, my most devout Christian," replied the Duke, "would answer, Die, infidel, in thine unbelief; but I am only a poor worldling sinner, and will add what mite of information I can. The young fellow's name, as I am given to understand, is Julian, son of Sir Geoffrey, whom men call Peveril of the Peak." was the only means of deceiving him. Victoria! my dear Jerningham, I am prouder of cheating Christian, than I should have been of circumventing a minister of state." "Your Grace holds his wisdom very high," said the attendant. "His cunning, at least I do, which in Court affairs, often takes the weather-gage of wisdom,-as in Yarmouth Roads a herring-buss will baffle a frigate. He shall not return to London if I can help it, until all these intrigues are over." As his Grace spoke, the Colonel, after whom he had repeatedly made inquiry, was announced by a gentleman of his household." "He met not Christian, did he?" said the Duke hastily. 'No, my lord," returned the domestic, "the Colonel came by the old garden staircase." "I judged as much," replied the Duke; "tis an owl that will not take wing in daylight, when there is a thicket left to skulk under. Here he comes from threading lane, vault, and ruinous alley, very near as ominous a creature as the fowl of ill augury which he resembles." The Colonel, to whom no other appellation seemed to be given than that which belonged to his military station, now entered the apartment. He was tall, strongly built, and past the middle period of life, and his countenance, but for the heavy cloud which dwelt upon it, might have been pronounced a handsome one. While the Duke spoke to him, either from hucast down upon the ground; but he raised it when he answered, with a keen look of earnest observation. His dress was very plain, and more allied to that of the Puritans than of the Cavaliers of the time; a shadowy black hat like the Spanish sombrero, a large black mantle or cloak, and a long rapier, gave him something the air of a Castilione, to which his gravity and stiffness of demeanour added considerable strength. "Peveril of the Devil, who hath his cavern there!" said Christian, warmly; "for I know that gallant, and believe him capable of any thing bold and des-mility or some other cause, his large serious eye was perate. But how could he intrude himself into the royal presence? Either Hell aids him, or Heaven looks nearer into mortal dealings than I have yet believed. If so, may God forgive us, who deemed he thought not on us at all!" 66 Amen, most christian Christian," replied the Duke. "I am glad to see thou hast yet some touch of grace that leads thee to augur so. But Empson, the hen Chiffinch, and half a dozen more, saw the swain's entrance and departure. Please examine these witnesses with your own wisdom, if you think your time may not be better employed in tracing the fugitives. I believe he gained entrance as one of some dancing or masking party. Rowley, you know, is accessible to all who will come forth to make him sport. So in stole this termagant tearing gallant, like Samson among the Philistines, to pull down our fine scheme about our ears.' "I believe you, my lord," said Christian; "I cannot but believe you; and I forgive you, since it is your nature, for making sport of what is ruin and destruction. But which way did they take?" "To Derbyshire, I should presume, to seek her father," said the Duke. "She spoke of going into the paternal protection, instead of yours, Master Christian. Something had chanced at Chiffinch's, to give her cause to suspect that you had not altogether provided for his daughter in the manner which her father was likely to approve of." "Now, Heaven be praised," said Christian," she knows not her father is come to London! and they must be gone down either to Martindale Castle, or to Moultrassie Hall; in either case they are in my power -I must follow them close. I will return instantly to Derbyshire-I am undone if she meet her father until these errors are amended. Adieu, my lord. I forgive the part which I fear your Grace must have had in balking our enterprise-it is no time for mutual reproaches." "You speak truth, Master Christian," said the Duke, "and I wish you all success. Can I help you with men or horses, or money?" "I thank your Grace," said Christian, and hastily left the apartment. "Well, Colonel," said the Duke, "we have been long strangers-how have matters gone with you?" "As with other men of action in quiet times," answered the Colonel, or as a good war-caper that lies high and dry in a muddy-creek, till seams and planks are rent and riven." "Well, Colonel," said the Duke, "I have used your valour before now, and I may again; so that I shall speedily see that the vessel is careened, and undergoes a thorough repair." "I conjecture, then," said the Colonel, "that your Grace has some voyage in hand?" "No, but there is one which I want to interrupt," replied the Duke. Tis but another stave of the same tune.-Well, my lord, I listen," answered the stranger. "Nay," said the Duke, "it is but a trifling matter after all.-You know Ned Christian?" "Ay, surely, my lord," replied the Colonel, "we have been long known to each other." "He is about to go down to Derbyshire to seek a certain niece of his, whom he will scarcely find there. Now, I trust to your tried friendship to interrupt his return to London. Go with him, or meet him, cajole him, or assail him, or do what thou wilt with himonly keep him from London for a fortnight at least, and then I care little how soon he comes. ་་ "For by that time, I suppose," replied the Colonel, any one may find the wench that thinks her worth the looking for." "Thou mayst think her worth the looking for thyself, Colonel," rejoined the Duke; "I promise you she hath many a thousand stitched to her petticoat; such a wife would save thee from skeldering on the public." 66 The Duke watched his descending footsteps on the "My lord, I sell my blood and my sword, but not staircase, until they could be heard no longer, and my honour," answered the man sullenly; "if I then exclaimed to Jerningham, who entered, Vic-marry, my bed may be a poor, but it shall be an hotoria! victoria! magna est veritas et prævalebit!- nest one." Had I told the villain a word of a lie, he is so familiar with all the regions of falsehood-his whole life has been such an absolute imposture, that I had stood de: tected in an instant; but I told him truth, and that •Then a noted actor. Then thy wife will be the only honest matter in thy possession, Colonel-at least since I have known you," replied the Duke. Why, truly, your Grace may speak your pleasure A Privateer. on that point. It is chiefly your business which I have done of late; and if it were less strictly honest than I could have wished, the employer was to blame as well as the agent. But for marrying a cast-off mistress, the man (saving your Grace, to whom I am bound) lives not who dares propose it to me." The Duke laughed loudly. "Why, this is mine Ancient Pistol's vein," he replied. "Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy become, And by my side wear steel 7-then Lucifer take all !'" "My breeding is too plain to understand ends of playhouse verse, my lord," said the Colonel sullenly. Has your Grace no other service to command me?" "None-only I am told you have published a Narrative concerning the Plot." What should ail me, my lord?" said the Colonel; "I hope I am a witness as competent as any that has yet appeared?" proceedings of us who are of the pure porcelain clay of the earth." "In the name of heaven, my lord, let me then ask you," said Jerningham, "what merit you claim, or what advantage you expect, from having embroiled every thing in which you are concerned to a degree which equals the chaos of the blind old Roundhead's poem which your Grace is so fond of? To begin with the King. In spite of good-humour, he will be incensed at your repeated rivalry.". 'His Majesty defied me to it." "You have lost all hopes of the Isle, by quarrelling with Christian." "I have ceased to care a farthing about it,” replied the Duke. "In Christian himself, whom you have insulted, and to whose family you intend dishonour, you have lost a sagacious, artful, and cool-headed instrument and adherent," said the monitor. "Truly, I think so to the full," said the Duke; "and it would have been hard, when so much profit-tian would say as much for thee, I doubt not, wert "Poor Jerningham!" answered the Duke; "Chrisable mischief was going, if so excellent a Protestant thou discarded to-morrow. It is the common error as yourself had not come in for a share." my house." "I came to take your Grace's commands, not to of such tools as you and he to think themselves inbe the object of your wit," said the Colonel. dispensable. As to his family, what was never hon"Gallantly spoken, most resolute and most imma-ourable cannot be dishonoured by any connexion with culate Colonel! As you are to be on full pay in my service for a month to come, I pray your acceptance of this purse, for contingents and equipments, and you shall have my instructions from time to time." "They shall be punctually obeyed, my lord," said the Colonel; "I know the duty of a subaltern officer. I wish your Grace a good morning." 66 "I say nothing of Chiffinch," said Jerningham, "offended as he will be when he learns why, and by whom, his scheme has been ruined, and the lady spirited away-He and his wife, I say nothing of them. "You need not," said the Duke; "for were they even fit persons to speak to me about, the Duchess of Portsmouth has bargained for their disgrace." ever have an opportunity of turning on you." So saying, he pocketed the purse, without either affecting hesitation, or expressing gratitude, but merely as a part of a transaction in the regular way "Then this bloodhound of a Colonel, as he calls of business, and stalked from the apartment with the himself, your Grace cannot even lay him on a quest same sullen gravity which marked his entrance. which is to do you service, but you must do him such Now, there goes a scoundrel after my own heart," indignity at the same time, as he will not fail to resaid the Duke; a robber from his cradle, a mur-member, and be sure to fly at your throat should he derer since he could hold a knife, a profound hypocrite in religion, and a worse and deeper hypocrite in honour, would sell his soul to the devil to accomplish any villany, and would cut the throat of his brother, did he dare to give the villany he had so acted its right name. Now, why stand you amazed, good Master Jerningham, and look on me as you would on some monster of Ind, when you had paid your shilling to see it, and were staring out your pennyworth with your eyes as round as a pair of spectacles? Wink, man, and save them, and then let thy tongue untie the mystery." "On my word, my Lord Duke," answered Jerningham, "since I am compelled to speak, I can only say, that the longer I live with your Grace, I am the more at a loss to fathom your motives of action. Others lay plans, either to attain profit or pleasure by their execution; but your Grace's delight is to counteract your own schemes, when in the very act of performance; like a child-forgive me that breaks its favourite toy, or a man who should set fire to the house he has half built." "And why not, if he wanted to warm his hands at the blaze?" said the Duke. "Ay, my lord," replied his dependant; "but what if, in doing so, he should burn his fingers?—My lord, it is one of your noblest qualities, that you will sometimes listen to the truth without taking offence; but were it otherwise, I could not, at this moment, help speaking out at every risk." "Well, say on, I can bear it," said the Duke, throwing himself into an easy-chair, and using his toothpick with graceful indifference and equanimity; "I love to hear what such potsherds as thou art, think of the - Of Blood's Narrative, Roger North takes the following no tice,-" There was another sham plot of one Netterville. 1711, p. 311. "I will take care he has none said the Duke; "and yours, Jerningham, is a low-lived apprehension. Beat your spaniel heartily if you would have him under command. Ever let your agents see you know what they are, and prize them accordingly. A rogue, who must needs be treated as a man of honour, is apt to get above his work. Enough, therefore, of your advice and censure, Jerningham; we differ in every particular. Were we both engineers, you would spend your life in watching some old woman's wheel, which spins flax by the ounce; I must be in the midst of the most varied and counteracting machinery, regulating ing springs and wheels, directing and controlling a checks and counter-checks, balancing weights, provhundred combined powers." "And your fortune, in the mean while?" said Jerningham; "pardon this last hint, my lord." 66 My fortune," said the Duke, "is too vast to be hurt by a petty wound; and I have, as thou knowest, a thousand salves in store for the scratches and scars which it sometimes receives in greasing my machinery." "Your Grace does not mean Dr. Wilderhead's powder of projection?" "Pshaw he is a quacksalver, and mountebank, and beggar." "Or Solicitor Drownland's plan for draining the fens ?" 66 He is a cheat, videlicet, an attorney." "Or the Laird of Lackpelf's sale of Highland woods?" "He is a Scotsman," said the Duke,——“ videlicet, both cheat and beggar." mansion-house?" said Jerningham. "The architect's a bite, and the plan's a bubble. I am sick of the sight of this rubbish, and I will soon replace our old alcoves, alleys, and flowerpots, by an Italian garden and a new palace." "That, my lord, would be to waste, not to improve your fortune," said his domestic. "Clodpate, and muddy spirit that thou art, thou hast forgot the most hopeful scheme of all-the South Sea Fisheries-their stock is up 50 per cent. already |