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We will examine if those accidents,
Which common fame calls injuries, happen to him
Deservedly or no.—The New Inn.
Forgive me, dearest Lady Westborough, for my violence: you know andwill allow for the infirmities of my temper. I have to make you andLady Flora one request, which I trust you will not refuse me.
Do not see or receive any communication from Mr. Linden tillWednesday; and on that day at the hour of twelve suffer me to meet himat your house. I will then either prove him to be the basest ofimpostors, or, if I fail in this and Lady Flora honours my rival withone sentiment of preference, I will without a murmur submit to herdecree and my rejection. Dare I trust that this petition will beaccorded to one who is, with great regard and esteem, etc.
"This is fortunate," said Lady Westborough gently to her daughter,who, leaning her head on her mother's bosom, suffered hopes, thesweeter for their long sleep, to divide, if not wholly to possess, herheart. "We shall have now time well and carefully to reflect overwhat will be best for your future happiness. We owe this delay to oneto whom you have been affianced. Let us, therefore, now merely writeto Mr. Linden, to inform him of Lord Ulswater's request; and to saythat if he will meet his lordship at the time appointed, we, that isI, shall be happy to see him."
Lady Flora sighed, but she saw the reasonableness of her mother'sproposal, and pressing Lady Westborough's hand murmured her assent.
"At all events," thought Lady Westborough, as she wrote to Clarence,"the affair can but terminate to advantage. If Lord Ulswater provesMr. Linden's unworthiness, the suit of the latter is of course at restforever: if not, and Mr. Linden be indeed all that he asserts, mydaughter's choice cannot be an election of reproach; Lord Ulswaterpromises peaceably to withdraw his pretensions; and though Mr. Lindenmay not possess his rank or fortune, he is certainly one with whom, ifof ancient blood, any family would be proud of an alliance."
Blending with these reflections a considerable share of curiosity andinterest in a secret which partook so strongly of romance, LadyWestborough despatched her note to Clarence. The answer returned wasbrief, respectful, and not only acquiescent in but grateful for theproposal.
With this arrangement both Lady Westborough and Lady Flora werecompelled, though with very different feelings, to be satisfied; andan agreement was established between them, to the effect that ifLinden's name passed unblemished through the appointed ordeal LadyFlora was to be left to, and favoured in, her own election; while, onthe contrary, if Lord Ulswater succeeded in the proof he had spokenof, his former footing in the family was to be fully re-establishedand our unfortunate adventurer forever discarded.
To this Lady Flora readily consented; for with a sanguine and certaintrust in her lover's truth and honour, which was tenfold more strongfor her late suspicions, she would not allow herself a doubt as to theresult; and with an impatience, mingled with a rapturous exhilarationof spirit, which brought back to her the freshness and radiancy of heryoungest years, she counted the hours and moments to the destined day.
While such was the state of affairs at Westborough Park, Clarence wasagain on horseback and on another excursion. By the noon of the dayfollowing that which had seen his eventful meeting