Whitehall, and
consequently he followed him to that place.
The statesman seemed not a little surprised to see him, and instantly
questioned him in regard to his interview with the Duke. That
interview was soon told by Wilton, who loved not to dwell upon the
particulars, and consequently related the whole as briefly as
possible.
He told enough, however, to move the Earl a good deal, but in a
different manner from what might have been expected. Once or twice he
coloured and frowned heavily, and then laughed loud and bitterly.
"His pride is almost more absurd than I had fancied, Wilton," he
said, at length; "but to tell you the truth, I have in some degree
foreseen all this, though not quite to this extent. If he had
willingly consented to your marriage with his daughter, he might have
saved himself, perhaps, some pain, for he must consent in the end,
and it would not surprise me some day to see him suing you to the
alliance that he now refuses you. His grace is certainly a very great
and haughty peer, but nevertheless he may some day find you quite a
fitting match for his daughter."
"I trust it may be so, my lord," replied Wilton; "but yet I see not
very well how it can be so."
"You will see, you will see, Wilton," replied Lord Byerdale: "it
matters not at present to talk of it. But now sit down and write me a
letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, telling him that I must
beg he and the Sheriff would take prompt measures for restoring peace
and security in the county. Let him know that one of the government
couriers was stopped and plundered on the road last night. Luckily
the bag of despatches has been found upon the highway unopened, but
still the act was a most daring one. The same sort of thing has been
of frequent occurrence in that county: it is evident that a large
troop of these gentry of the road make that part of the world their
field, and we must put a stop to it."
Wilton sat down and did as he was bid, feeling, it is true, that he
could give a good deal more information upon the subject than the
Earl possessed, if he thought fit to do so. This, of course, he did
not choose to do; and after the letter to the Lord Lieutenant was
written, the Earl allowed him to depart, saying--"Our business is
somewhat light to-day, Wilton; but do not be the least afraid on
account of this fair lady. The Duke's foolish pride will come down
when he hears more."
Wilton departed, in a meditative mood; for notwithstanding every
assurance given him, he cou