e party, at least, was anxious to proceed on his way in
another direction; and leaving Captain Churchill as soon as he
decently could, Wilton returned to his house, changed his dress, and
entered one of those vehicles called hackney coaches, which, in the
days of King William III, were as rumbling and crazy, and even more
slow, than at present.
Before he reached Beaufort House, Wilton's patience was well nigh
exhausted; but if we may tell the truth, there was one as impatient.
as himself. When they had arrived that morning at Beaufort House,
Laura's thoughts had been divided. Her anxiety to see her father, to
tell him she was safe, to give joy to the heart of one she loved with
the fullest feelings of filial affection, had a strong share in all
her sensations; but that was over, and her mind turned to Wilton
again. In telling her father all that had occurred, in recounting
everything that Wilton had done, in hearing from the Duke himself all
her lover's exertions and anxiety, till he obtained some clue to the
place where she was detained, vivid images were continually brought
up before her mind of things that were most sweet to contemplate.
When she retired to her own chamber, although she strove, at her
father's request, to obtain sleep, those sweet but agitating images
followed her still, and every word, and tone, and look of him she
loved, returned to her memory, and banished slumber altogether from
her pillow.
On whatever part of his conduct memory rested, to the eyes of
affection it seemed all that could be desired. If she thought of him
standing boldly in the presence of superior numbers--calm, cool,
unintimidated, decided; or if she recalled his conduct to the Duke of
Berwick, generously risking all rather than not repay that nobleman's
gallant interposition in his favour by similar efforts in his behalf;
or if she recollected his behaviour to herself; when alone under his
care and guidance, the tenderness, the gentleness, the delicate
forbearance, the consideration for all her feelings, and for every
difficult point of her situation which he had displayed--each part of
his behaviour seemed to her partial eyes all that she could have
dreamed of excellent and good, and each part stood out in bright
apposition with the other; the gentle kindness contrasting strongly
with the firm and courageous determination; the generous and
unhesitating protection of an upright and gallant enemy, seeming but
the more bright from his calm and prudent bearing toward