owing that
your grace has a house ready to receive you in Hampshire,
within thirty-five miles of the city of London, in case your
presence should be wanted, and about the same distance
from the sea-coast. I will beg your grace to read this, and
then instantly to burn it, believing that it comes with a very
good intent, from
"Your humble servant,
"AYLESBURY."
This letter once more excited all the apprehensions of the Duke, who
well knew that Lord Aylesbury would never have written such an
epistle without intending to imply much more than he directly said.
His recourse was immediately to Wilton, who was engaged to dine with
him on that day, together with a large party. As Wilton's
engagements, however, were always made with a proviso, that his
official duties under the Earl of Byerdale permitted his fulfilling
them, the Duke sent off a special messenger with a note beseeching
him not to fail. The dinner hour, however, arrived; the various
guests made their appearance; the cook began to fret, and to declare
to his understrappers that the Duke always spoilt the dinner; but
Wilton had not yet come, and the Duke was anxious, if but to obtain
five words with him.
At length, however, the young gentleman arrived; and it was not a
little to the surprise of all the guests, and to the indignation of
some, that they saw who was the person for whom the meal had been
delayed. Wilton, though always well dressed, and in any circumstances
bearing the aspect of a gentleman, had evidently made his toilet
hastily and imperfectly; and notwithstanding the distance he had
come, bore about his person distinct traces of heat and excitement.
"I have not failed to obey your summons, my lord," he said, following
the Duke into the opening of one of the windows, "though it was
scarcely possible for me to do so. But I have much that I wish to
say to you."
"And I to you," replied the Duke; and he told him the contents of the
letter he had received from Lord Aylesbury that morning.
"The Earl says true, my lord," replied Wilton. "But I have this very
day seen Cook myself--I mean Peter Cook, the person that it is
supposed will be permitted to turn king's evidence. He did certainly
slightly glance at your grace; but I believe that the orders of Lord
Byerdale will prevent him from implicating any persons but those who
were actually engaged in the worst designs of the conspirators."
"Had I not be