IV.

HOW ABEL ROPER, THE STEWARD, OBTAINED AN INSIGHT INTO THE OLD GENTLEMAN'S BREAST.

THE old gentleman sat down by the fire.

As the steward entered, he glanced at the stranger, and the stranger glanced at him, but they took no further notice of each other.

Mr. Roper then took off his great-coat and gloves, and deposited them with his three-cornered hat on a chair. He was a respectablelooking middle-aged man, in an iron-grey wig, snuff-coloured coat and waistcoat, striped worsted stockings, square-toed shoes and buckles.

"Has Frank Woodbine been here ?" he inquired of the landlord. "Yes, sir, he has; about half an hour ago, and he bade me say, if you chanced to arrive before his return, he would not keep you long waiting." "That's well," Mr. Roper cried. "Just take out a pot of ale to my two friends outside."

"Won't they step in ?" the landlord said. But receiving a reply in the negative, he delegated the commission to Tom Tapster, by whom it was executed, while Mr. Roper proceeded :

"And now, Mr. Nettlebed, I make no doubt you are all anxiety to know whether I have given notice of your intention to claim the Flitch. I have. It is registered. But I have done still more. I have selected

the Jury six of the best looking young bachelors of the village, and six of the prettiest maidens; and I have told them to pay you their first visit of inquiry this evening."

"By the Marry Maskins! this is news," Nettlebed exclaimed, joyfully. "Here, Tom Tapster. Go and brew a strong bowl of punch, and bid the cook cut the plum-cake and get the minced pies hot. I must give them fitting welcome. What a pity it is we've no music, or we might

have a dance."

"I've taken care of that," Roper replied; "I told Simon Appleyard to bring the fiddles with him. I don't want to damp your satisfaction, Mr. Nettlebed, but I am bound to tell you there is another claimant, whose chances appear quite equal, some think superior to your own."

The landlord looked quite chopfallen.

"Oddsbodikins! who is it?" he asked.

"No other than the young man who is to meet me here?"

"Frank Woodbine! I thought so. I protest against his claim. He can't take the Oath."

"Why not? He bears an excellent character, and is supposed to be fondly attached to his wife; and she to him."

"He doesn't deserve her love. He's a libertine, a deceiver, a Don Juan."

"Poh-poh! my good friend, you are wholly misinformed."

"I can't be misinformed. I've seen him with my own eyes."

"Seen what?"

"Seen him make love to another woman."

"To Mrs. Nettlebed?"

"Zookers! no; not to her: I should like to see him do that: but to

one,

him a very who gave different reception from what he'd meet with from my Nelly-one who kissed him, and squeezed him." "Your eyes must have deceived you."

"No they didn't. I can see plain enough when I desire it. I'll prove what I say, at the right time."

"But you must bring forward other evidence than your own.

You

will be supposed to be an interested witness-and perhaps on that account be discredited."

"That I will, sir,-that I will," Jonas cried. "I'll bring damning proofs,' as the play-actors say."

young

"What's that you say about 'damning proofs,' landlord?" Plot cried, getting up, and limping towards them. "So you have found the man out, eh? Didn't I tell you man's constancy was all gammon? Take care he don't retaliate, and find you out."

"I defy him," the landlord replied.

"Humph!" Plot muttered." Your servant, sir," he added, bowing to the steward. "Don't recollect me I perceive? Physician to the unfortunate family who once resided here-Dr. Plot."

"The name is familiar to me, sir," the steward said, returning the salutation" but I confess I do not recollect your features, though I must have seen you."

"Dare say not. Most people think me changed-sadly changedbroken down, in fact. I'm come here to spend a few days, and moralise upon the vanities of the world. Plenty of food for it here, sir. An old house gone to ruin an old family gone to the dogs. And why? All through the fault of a woman. And yet this credulous fool-this easy dupe would try and persuade us that a miracle has been wrought in his behalf."

"I am neither a fool, nor a dupe, sir," Jonas rejoined ; " and I'd have you to know that Mrs. Nettlebed is not an ordinary woman. I don't wonder you have not met with such a one. His reverence the Vicar calls her a rara avis. Perhaps, you know what that means, sir?”

"Pshaw!" cried the old gentleman.

"I hope we shall give you, before you leave, a better opinion of the sex, and of human nature in general than you appear to entertain, sir," the steward said. "I know the sad circumstances of the case to which you allude, and greatly regret them. But I cannot think the unfortunate

lady so much to blame as is supposed.

66

Sir, you know nothing about it," Plot rejoined, sharply. "I know that Lady Juga was guilty. But no more of this. Let the dead rest in

their graves.

"I wish they did-Lady Juga, especially," the landlord groaned, aside. "I would not disturb them; nor would I rake up any memories that may be painful to you, sir, as a friend of Sir Walter, for such I am aware you were. But I cannot but think the Lady Juga wrongfully judged; and at more fitting time and season I will endeavour to prove the truth of what I assert."

"If you can do so, you will remove a barbed arrow that has rankled in my breast for years, and soured all the sweetness of my nature, if it ever had any sweetness, which I doubt. And I care not if you kill me in the

doing of it; for it was from my representations, and by my advice, that Sir Walter left his wife."

"Then I had better not disclose what I have to tell, sir."

"Yes, speak out, and spare not. Cut as deep as you will; or pluck out the shaft forcibly. I am too good a physician not to know that you must probe the wound, if you would cure it. But mine never can be healed," he added in a tone of deep pathos.

I hope otherwise, sir. I will find a convenient time to lay my relation before you. I have business just now with young Woodbine, and expect him here anon. Ah! sir; if you could but see his wife, she would change the ill opinion you entertain of women. An angel, sir."

"I have heard much of her, and should like to see her. Perhaps, you can contrive it ?"

"Easily," the steward replied." Her husband will make you heartily welcome to his cottage."

"I would rather see her without him."

“Well, sir, perhaps it may be managed. I'll see."

"Here comes Frank Woodbine," Nettlebed cried, as the door opened to admit the young man. At the same moment, Nelly came down stairs.

V.

SHOWING THAT FRANK WOODBINE SHOULD HAVE LOOKED BEFORE HE LEAPED.

FRANK WOODBINE was a very handsome young fellow, certainly. No mistake about that.

He looked much better now than when the old gentleman saw him first, for he had doffed his shooting clothes, and put on others, which, though plain enough, and perfectly suitable to his station, fitted him well, and set off his light, agile limbs to advantage.

Mrs. Nettlebed smiled upon him very graciously as they met; thanked him for his polite attention in bringing her the woodcock; inquired after his wife; and chattered so fast that she quite forgot where she was going until she found herself near one of the bay windows. Frank Woodbine thought the evergreens very nicely arranged, and told her so.

"It's my husband's taste," she replied, entering the recess" but they are very pretty I must say. Do come and look at them. My goodness gracious!-if I am not under the Mistletoe Bough."

Frank must have been a stupid fellow, after all. It never occurred to him to take advantage of the situation. He looked up quite innocently at the branch, and then marched out of the recess. Nelly bit her lips with vexation.

"That doesn't look like the conduct of a libertine, Mr. Nettlebed,' Roper observed, nudging the landlord.

"He's on his guard now," Jonas replied; "he's cautious enough before people. D'ye think he'd have acted so, if we hadn't been by ?"

"I hope he would. But you don't suppose your wife would allow him to salute her?"

"I'd ha' boxed his ears soundly if he'd attempted any such thing," Nelly said, overhearing the remark.

"And now, Master Woodbine," the steward said. "We've a little business to settle together."

"We have, sir," the young man replied. "I'm quite prepared for you." "Glad to hear it. Suppose we begin with a glass of ale. It will help us through our work. Landlord, a jug of your old October."

"With all my heart, sir," Frank said, taking a chair at the table with the steward.

The ale was speedily brought, and quite sustained Jonas's well-earned reputation.

"And now oblige me with pen and ink," the steward said—“ and a candle too, if you please, Mrs. Nettlebed-for it's getting dark, and we might make mistakes, and they don't in money matters."

"Money matters! Oh! it's about money they've met-is it? I wonder who's going to receive it?" Nelly muttered, as she placed the inkstand on the table, and lighted the candle.

Meanwhile, Mr. Roper took a memorandum-book out of his pocket, referred to it, and laid it down. After this, he brought out a parchment, and laid that down too. He then looked at Frank.

"Mr. Nettlebed, you have a letter for me?" the young man said.

Beg pardon, Master Woodbine," Jonas cried-"it quite slipped my memory. It's quite safe. Here it is, sir," he added, unlocking the

drawer, and producing the letter.

While this was going on, the old gentleman had resumed his seat at the fire, but he watched the proceedings of the party at the table with much curiosity.

"Two Hundred Pounds, Master Woodbine-that's the amount," the steward said. "I'll write out a receipt for you, and deliver up the bond on payment of the money."

"Two hundred pounds!" Jonas muttered to himself—"I didn't think he could be worth half as much."

"Two hundred pounds!" Nelly thought. "Why, he must be as well off as Jonas himself."

"You shall have it in a moment, Mr. Roper," Frank said. And he tore open the letter.

"How's this?" he cried, with a sudden change of countenance, and springing to his feet. "No inclosure. I've been robbed." "Robbed!" Jonas exclaimed-"I'll answer for it nothing has been taken from the letter since it came into my possession."

"No-no-I was wrong," Frank cried, running his eye distractedly over the missive-" the money has not been sent.'

"Am I to understand then that you cannot pay me, young man?" the steward said, in a severe tone.

"You see I am disappointed in my expectations, sir. The money ought to have been sent, but it has been refused;-I know not why. Grant me a week's delay, and I will engage to pay it you in full."

"I cannot consent to be thus trifled with, Frank Woodbine," the steward rejoined; "and though I am sorry to deal harshly with you, I must exact the full penalties of this bond."

"I need not remind you that the money was not advanced to myself, Mr. Roper," Frank urged; "that I am only a surety for another."

"But that other is utterly unable to pay it. Therefore, I must come upon you. You led me to suppose you could pay it, and therefore I accepted your security."

"So I can, sir, if I have a little time."

"Time cannot be granted. I regret to be driven to these extremities, but as I am acting for others I have only one course to pursue, however repugnant it may be to my feelings. Unless you can find the money I shall be compelled to place you under arrest."

"Arrest me!" Frank exclaimed.

66

Ay, and send you to Chelmsford Jail."

"Mr. Roper, you are not a hard man. I know you are not, sir. You cannot mean this."

The steward shook his head.

"And you can have the heart to imprison me because I rescued a poor widow from impending ruin ?"

you

"Do not put a false gloss on your conduct, young man," the steward rejoined; "you meant to do well, no doubt; but have merely performed a good action at another's expense. If you signed this bond, without the certainty of fulfilling its conditions, you were highly to blame; and you will now experience the result of your incaution. But those

I represent must not be allowed to suffer from your folly; and since you are not prepared to meet your engagements, the law must take its

course.

99

"My wife!-my poor wife!" Frank exclaimed, clasping his hands to his brow.

"You should have thought of this before," the steward said. "You will be imprisoned; will lose your situation; and bring your wife to beggary, it may be, from your want of prudence."

As the steward spoke, Frank's whole demeanour changed, and he looked as if he would make some fierce reply; but he checked himself, and said with forced calmness:

"You are not the man I took you for, Mr. Roper. You speak with unnecessary harshness. I have shown no wish to break my engagements. I can fulfil them, and I will. All I require is a little time."

I

"Young man, I have told you, that I act for others. But thus much may do, if it be any favour to you. I can select Mrs. Leslie instead of

you.'

"Arrest the poor old lady! Carry her off to prison-to die there of distress and shame. No, sir, that shall never be while I can prevent it." "Then it was poor Mrs. Leslie for whom he was bound," sobbed Nelly to her husband. "My heart quite bleeds for him. Do pay the money. Do, Jonas. That's a duck."

"Pay two hundred pounds, my dear! Quite out of the question. A pretty fool the neighbours would think me."

Never mind what they think. Pay it, Jonas,-do."

"Mr. Nettlebed," said the steward, "have the goodness to tell those two gentlemen outside to step in."

"You shan't go, Jonas-it's to do something horrid-I know it is," Nelly screamed.

Don't alarm yourself, ma'am," the steward said, tapping against the window.

At the signal, two stout, ill-favoured men, with staves in their hands,