ith an air of respect, and taking no
notice of the affront implied in Mauleverer's speech, he answered,--

"Your lordship has only to deign a glance at my dress to see that I have
not intruded myself on your grounds with the intention of claiming your
hospitality. The fact is, and I trust to your lordship's courtesy to
admit the excuse, that I leave this neighbourhood to-morrow, and for
some length of time. A person whom I was very anxious to see before I
left was one of your lordship's guests; I heard this, and knew that
I should have no other opportunity of meeting the person in question
before my departure; and I must now throw myself on the well-known
politeness of Lord Mauleverer to pardon a freedom originating in a
business very much approaching to a necessity."

Lord Mauleverer's address to Clifford had congregated an immediate crowd
of eager and expectant listeners; but so quietly respectful and really
gentlemanlike were Clifford's air and tone in excusing himself, that the
whole throng were smitten with a sudden disappointment.

Lord Mauleverer himself, surprised by the temper and deportment of the
unbidden guest, was at a loss for one moment; and Clifford was about to
take advantage of that moment and glide away, when Mauleverer, with a
second bow, more civil than the former one, said,--

"I cannot but be happy, sir, that my poor place has afforded you any
convenience; but if I am not very impertinent, will you allow me to
inquire the name of my guest with whom you required a meeting?"

"My lord," said Clifford, drawing himself up and speaking gravely and
sternly, though still with a certain deference, "I need not surely
point out to your lordship's good sense and good feeling that your very
question implies a doubt, and consequently an affront, and that the tone
of it is not such as to justify that concession on my part which the
further explanation you require would imply!"

Few spoken sarcasms could be so bitter as that silent one which
Mauleverer could command by a smile, and with this complimentary
expression on his thin lips and raised brow, the earl answered: "Sir,
I honour the skill testified by your reply; it must be the result of
a profound experience in these affairs. I wish you, sir, a very good
night; and the next time you favour me with a visit, I am quite sure
that your motives for so indulging me will be no less creditable to you
than at present."

With these words Mauleverer turned to r