egend told us,
my lord, to 'be bold, and bold, and everywhere be bold,' it told us
also to 'be not too bold.'"
"You are right, you are right, Wilton," replied the Earl. "But leave
it to me: I myself will write to the Duke upon the subject, and doubt
not shall find means to satisfy him, though I cannot flatter you,
Wilton--and I tell you so at once--I cannot flatter you with the
idea of any unexpected wealth. Your blood is your only possession;
but that is enough. I will write myself in a few days."
"I trust, my lord, you will not do so immediately," replied Wilton.
"You were kind enough to promise me explanations regarding my birth.
Others have done so, too." (The Earl started.) "Lord Sunbury,"
continued Wilton, "promised me the same explanation, and to give me
the papers which he possesses regarding me, even before the present
period; but he returns in September or October, and then they will of
course be mine."
"Ha!" said the Earl, musing. "Ha! does he? But why does he not send
you over the papers? he is no farther off than Paris now; for I know
he obtained a passport the other day, and promised to look into the
negotiations which are going on for peace."
"I fancy, my lord," replied Wilton, "that in the distracted state of
both countries he fears to send over the papers by any ordinary
messenger."
"Oh, but from time to time there are council messengers," replied the
Earl. "There is not a petit maitre in the whole land who does not
contrive, notwithstanding the war, to get over his embroidery from
France, nor any old lady to furnish herself with bon-bons."
"I suppose he thinks, too," replied Wilton, "that, as he is coming so
soon, it is scarcely worth while, and, perhaps, the papers may need
explanations from his own mouth."
"Ah! but the papers, the papers, are the most important," replied the
Earl, thoughtfully. "In September or October does he come? Well, I
will tell you all before that myself, Wilton. I thought I should
have been able to do it ere now; but there is one link in the chain
incomplete, and before I say anything, it must be rendered perfect.
However, things are happening every day which no one anticipates; and
though I do not expect the paper that I mentioned for a fortnight, it
may come to-morrow, perhaps."
About ten days after this period, Wilton, as he went to the house of
the Earl of Byerdale, remarked all those external signs and symptoms
of agitation amongst the people, which may always be seen more or
less by an observing e