Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
OCR
unnecessary, you have none.
30 WILD MARGARET.
erty. Only Ketton remains, and that is, you tell me, to
go. What do you.expect me to say? Have you no con-
science, no sense of decency But, indeed, the question ig
The young man rose, and on his handsome face came a
look that bore a faint resemblance to that.on the old
man’s,
‘“What do you. mean?’ he asked, shortly.
The earl raised his eyes... an
‘“ With this ruin impending over you, you come tome
to ask my sanction of the last step, and on the way here
you amuse yourself by indulging in a vulgar ale-house
brawl with one of my people, outside my gates—within —
sight of the house!’ :
Lord Blair sank into the chair, and smiled. ote
‘Oh, that,’’ he said, easily—‘‘ oh, that was nothing, sir.
The fellow deserved all he got and more. *Pon my word —
T couldn’t help it. It was—but you’ve heard all about it, -
I daresay?” ,
“T have heard that you had a vulgar quarrel with one ~
of the worst characters in the place,and indulged in a
fight with him, sir,”’ said the earl, his eyes flashing for a
moment, then growing hard and cold. ‘‘ButI forget. You
say it was nothing. That which I deem a degradation,
the future “Earl of Ferrers: may regard differently. But
this I may be permitted to ask: that you will choose some
otner locality than Leyton for the exhibition of your bru-
tality. ~
A hot response sprung to the lips of Lord Blair, but —
with an effort he choked it back. -
‘“We won’t say any more about theaffair, sir,’ he said, ~
‘‘except that if 1t were to be done again, I’d doit!” a
‘“*T don’t doubt you, sir,’’ said the earl; coldly.
There was a pause, then the young’man rose.
a take it I can raise the money on. Ketton, then?” he ~
said. .
The earl stared at the floor moodily. Bt
‘‘ Hartwell. gone, Parkfield mortgaged to the hilt, and
now Ketton. What next, sir? Thank Heaven, you cannot
play ducks and drakes with this place, or you would do it,
suppose!. But Icould forgive you all you have done if
you had spared Violet.’’ - er
Hiei color mounted to the young man’s face, and he bit
is lip.
“In her, and her alone, lay your chance of salvation.
You flung.it away as ruthlessly as you have flung away. .
your property. -You have ruined yourself and broken her
-heart, and you sit there smiling »”
As if he could endure it no longer, Lord Blair rose.