this does not succeed in your hands, it is your fault. Do
you agree to every part of this as I have laid it before you?"
"Most assuredly, my lord," replied Wilton, with eager gladness; "and
I can easily show Laura now, that there is a sufficient motive for
our marriage taking place so rapidly and so secretly."
"I did not think of that," said the Earl, much to Wilton's surprise.
"However, I shall leave to you entirely the execution of this scheme,
Wilton. You understand that my name is never to be mentioned,
however, and I take it as a matter of honour, that whatever be the
result, you say not one word whatsoever to inculpate me."
"None, my lord--none, upon my honour!" replied Wilton.
"Is there anything else I can do for you, Wilton?" demanded the Earl.
"If not, just be good enough to copy out that letter for me against
my return, for the carriage is at the door, and I must go in haste to
Kensington, to see the King depart for Hampton Court. The papers are
all there in that packet I have given you--the order, the note, the
special licence, and everything. Is there anything more?"
"Nothing, my lord. I thank you most sincerely," replied Wilton,
sitting down to copy the letter, while the Earl took up his hat and
cane, and walked a step or two towards the door. The Earl paused,
however, before he reached it, and then turned again towards Wilton,
gazing upon him with a cold, unpleasant sort of smile.
"By the way, Wilton," he said, "I promised to tell you part of your
own history, but did not intend to do it for some little time. As we
are likely however to be separated for a month or two by this
marriage trip of yours, there is one thing that I may as well tell
you. But you must, in the first place, promise me, upon your honour
as a gentleman, and by all you hold most sacred, not to reveal one
word thereof to any one, till the safety of the Duke is quite
secured--do you promise me in that solemn manner?"
"I do, indeed, my lord," replied Wilton, "and feel most sincerely
grateful to your lordship for relieving my mind on the subject at
once."
"Well, then, Wilton," continued the Earl, "you may recollect I said
to the Duke that there was as ancient and good blood in your veins as
in his own or in mine. Now, Wilton, my uncle, the last Earl of
Byerdale, had two other nephews besides myself, and you are the son
of one of them, who, espousing the cause of the late King James, was
killed at the battle of the Boyne, and all he had confiscated. Little
enough it was