mparts, a part of which then resembled
the boulevards of a French town, having rows of trees, green sward, a
winding walk, and seats placed at frequent intervals for the repose
of the loungers. During the summer evenings, the place was a favourite
resort of the court idlers; but now, in winter, it was usually deserted,
save by the sentries, placed at distant intervals. The trader had not
gone far in his quest when he perceived, a few paces before him, the
very man he had most cause to dread; and Lord Hastings, hearing the
sound of a footfall amongst the crisp, faded leaves that strewed the
path, turned abruptly as Alwyn approached his side.

At the sight of his formidable rival, Alwyn had formed one of those
resolutions which occur only to men of his decided, plain-spoken,
energetic character. His distinguishing shrewdness and penetration had
given him considerable insight into the nobler as well as the weaker
qualities of Hastings; and his hope in the former influenced the
determination to which he came. The reflections of Hastings at that
moment were of a nature to augur favourably to the views of the humbler
lover; for, during the stirring scenes in which his late absence
from Sibyll had been passed, Hastings had somewhat recovered from her
influence; and feeling the difficulties of reconciling his honour
and his worldly prospects to further prosecution of the love, rashly
expressed but not deeply felt, he had determined frankly to cut the
Gordian knot he could not solve, and inform Sibyll that marriage between
them was impossible. With that view he had appointed this meeting, and
his conference with the king but confirmed his intention. It was in this
state of mind that he was thus accosted by Alwyn:--

"My lord, may I make bold to ask for a few moments your charitable
indulgence to words you may deem presumptuous?"

"Be brief, then, Master Alwyn,--I am waited for."

"Alas, my lord! I can guess by whom,--by the one whom I seek myself,--by
Sibyll Warner."

"How, Sir Goldsmith!" said Hastings, haughtily, "what knowest thou of my
movements, and what care I for thine?"

"Hearken, my Lord Hastings,--hearken!" said Alwyn, repressing his
resentment, and in a voice so earnest that it riveted the entire
attention of the listener--"hearken, and judge not as noble judges
craftsman, but as man should judge man. As the saw saith, 'We all lie
alike in our graves.' From the first moment I saw this Sibyll Warner I
loved her.