n
Glumford said, "If your lordship's way lies along this road for the next
five or six miles, perhaps you will allow me the honour of accompanying
you," Lord Ulswater graciously signified his consent to the proposal,
and carelessly mentioning that he was going to Westborough Park, slid
into that conversation with his new companion which the meeting and its
actors afforded.

Turn we for an instant to Clarence. At the appointed hour he had arrived
at Westborough Park, and, bidding his companion, the trusty Wardour,
remain within the chaise which had conveyed them, he was ushered with
a trembling heart, but a mien erect and self-composed, into Lady
Westborough's presence; the marchioness was alone.

"I am sensible, sir," said she, with a little embarrassment, "that it is
not exactly becoming to my station and circumstances to suffer a meeting
of the present nature between Lord Ulswater and yourself to be held
within this house; but I could not resist the request of Lord Ulswater,
conscious from his character that it could contain nothing detrimental
to the--to the consideration and delicacy due to Lady Flora Ardenne."

Clarence bowed. "So far as I am concerned," said he, "I feel confident
that Lady Westborough will not repent of her condescension."

There was a pause.

"It is singular," said Lady Westborough, looking to the clock upon an
opposite table, "that Lord Ulswater has not yet arrived."

"It is," said Clarence, scarcely conscious of his words, and wondering
whether Lady Flora would deign to appear. Another pause. Lady
Westborough felt the awkwardness of her situation.

Clarence made an effort to recover himself.

"I do not see," said he, "the necessity of delaying the explanation I
have to offer to your ladyship till my Lord Ulswater deems it suitable
to appear. Allow me at once to enter upon a history, told in few words
and easily proved."

"Stay," said Lady Westborough, struggling with her curiosity; "it is due
to one who has stood in so peculiar a situation in our family to wait
yet a little longer for his coming. We will therefore, till the hour is
completed, postpone the object of our meeting."

Clarence again bowed and was silent. Another and a longer pause
ensued: it was broken by the sound of the clock striking; the hour was
completed.

"Now," began Clarence, when he was interrupted by a sudden and violent
commotion in the hall. Above all was heard a loud and piercing cry,
in which Clarence re