to you?"

"I have taken my lodgings at the inn by your park gates. I shall remain
there till--till--"

Clarence paused, for his heart was full; and, leaving the sentence to
be concluded as his listeners pleased, he drew himself aside from their
path and suffered them to proceed.

As he was feeding his eyes with the last glimpse of their forms, ere a
turn in the grounds snatched them from his view, he heard a rapid step
behind, and Lord Ulswater, approaching, laid his hand upon Linden's
shoulder, and said calmly,--

"Are you furnished with proof to support the word you uttered?"

"I am!" replied Clarence, haughtily.

"And will you favour me with it?"

"At your leisure, my lord," rejoined Clarence.

"Enough! Name your time and I will attend you."

"On Tuesday: I require till then to produce my witnesses."

"So be it; yet stay: on Tuesday I have military business at W----, some
miles hence; the next day let it be; the place of meeting where you
please."

"Here, then, my lord," answered Clarence; "you have insulted me grossly
before Lady Westborough and your affianced bride, and before them my
vindication and answer should be given."

"You are right," said Lord Ulswater; "be it here, at the hour of
twelve." Clarence bowed his assent and withdrew. Lord Ulswater remained
on the spot, with downcast eyes, and a brow on which thought had
succeeded passion.

"If true," said he aloud, though unconsciously, "if this be true, why,
then I owe him reparation, and he shall have it at my hands. I owe it to
him on my account, and that of one now no more. Till we meet, I will
not again see Lady Flora; after that meeting, perhaps I may resign her
forever."

And with these words the young nobleman, who, despite of many evil and
overbearing qualities, had, as we have said, his redeeming virtues, in
which a capricious and unsteady generosity was one, walked slowly to the
house; wrote a brief note to Lady Westborough, the purport of which the
next chapter will disclose; and then, summoning his horse, flung himself
on its back, and rode hastily away.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

We will examine if those accidents,
Which common fame calls injuries, happen to him
Deservedly or no.--The New Inn.
FROM LORD ULSWATER TO LADY WESTBOROUGH.

Forgive me, dearest Lady Westborough, for my violence: you know and
will allow for the infirmities of my temper. I have to make you and Lady
Flora one request, which I trust you will not ref