lton's situation, he would let
the proud peer take his own course, as he had shown himself so
ungrateful for previous services.
Wilton, however, only replied, "He is Laura's father, Sherbrooke,"
and the note was accordingly written.
"It shall be delivered early," said Lord Sherbrooke, as soon as it
was ready. "Give it to me, Wilton; and now let us go."
Ere he quitted the room, however, Wilton turned to Green, and held
out his hand, saying, "I am grieved to see you so sad. Can I by no
means aid you or give you comfort?"
Green grasped his hand eagerly and tightly in his own, and replied,
"No, my boy, no; nothing can give me comfort. I have done that which
calmly and deliberately I would do again to-morrow, were I so called
upon, and which yet, in the doing it, has deprived my mind of peace.
There may be yet one ray of comfort reach me, and it will reach me
from you, Wilton; but it may be that you may wish to speak with me
from time to time; if so, you will hear of me here, for I go no more
to London. I have seen bloody heads and human quarters enow. Seek me
here; and if you want anything, ask me: for though powerless to cure
the bitterness of my own heart, I have more power to serve others
than ever I had."
"I have tried more than once in vain to see you," replied Wilton;
"not that I wanted anything, but that I was anxious to hear tidings
of you, and to thank you for what you had already done. I will now,
however, bid you good night, and trust that time, at least, may prove
an alleviation of your burdens as well as those of others."
Green shook his head with a look of utter despondency, and Wilton
quitted him, seeing that further words were vain. Lord Sherbrooke
then conducted him to a small neat room, and left him to lie down to
rest, saying--
"I know not, Wilton, whether I can conquer my bad habits so much as
to be up before you go. If not, I may not see you for many days, for
I have leave of absence," he added, with one of his light laughs,
"from my most honoured and respected parent. Should you need me, you
will find me here; and I would fain have you tell me if anything of
import befals you. I shall hear, however--I shall hear."
Thus saying, he left him, and at an early hour on the following day
Wilton was on his way homeward. He reached London before the time at
which it was usual for him to present himself at the house of Lord
Byerdale; but when, after pulling off his riding dress, he went
thither, he found that the Earl had already gone to