Project Gutenberg's Davenport Dunn, Volume 2 (of 2), by Charles James Lever

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Title: Davenport Dunn, Volume 2 (of 2)
A Man Of Our Day

Author: Charles James Lever

Illustrator: Phiz.

Release Date: May 11, 2010 [EBook #32342]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVENPORT DUNN, VOLUME 2 (OF 2) ***

Produced by David Widger

DAVENPORT DUNN,

A MAN OF OUR TIMES

Volume Two of Two

By Charles Lever.

With Illustrations By Phiz.

DAVENPORT DUNN: A MAN OF OUR DAY

CHAPTER I. THE TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH

When Mr. Davenport Dunn entered the drawing-room before dinner on that
day, his heart beat very quickly as he saw Lady Augusta Arden was there
alone. In what spirit she remembered the scene of the morning,--whether
she felt resentment towards him for his presumption, was disposed to
scoff down his pretensions, or to regard them, if not with favor,
with at least forgiveness, were the themes on which his mind was yet
dwelling. The affable smile with which she now met him did more to
resolve these doubts than all his casuistry.

"Was it not very thoughtful of me," said she, "to release you this
morning, and suffer you to address yourself to the important things
which claimed your attention? I really am quite vain of my self-denial."

"And yet, Lady Augusta," said he, in a low tone, "I had felt more
flattered if you had been less mindful of the exigency, and been more
interested in what I then was speaking of."

"What a selfish speech!" said she, laughing. "Now that my forbearance
has given you all the benefits it could confer, you turn round and say
you are not grateful for it. I suppose," added she, half pettishly, "the
despatch was not very pressing after all, and that this was the cause of
some disappointment."

"I am unable to say," replied he, calmly.

"What do you mean? Surely, when you read it--"

"But I have not read it,--there it is still, just as you saw-it," said
he, producing the packet with the seal unbroken.

"But really, Mr. Dunn," said she, and her face flushed up as she spoke,
"this does not impress me with the wonderful aptitude for affairs me