The Weird of the Wentworths, Vol. 1

s a wrathful

he Last

be so, one never heard the end of it. Still with all his foibles he was gentlemanly, and had long been a friend of the Ravensworths; he liked, too, to have an occasional tête-à-tête with the fair Ellen, whom he fancied as much pleased by his assiduous court, as he was by her lightest smile. Mr. Lennox was a great man in his county, being a Justice of the Peace, and remarkable for his rigorous sentences; for, being strictly moral himself, he had no pity on the erring. He was a great man in his village, the author and finisher of all improvements, the chairman of every public meeting; he was also a great man in his church, being copartner in the churchwardenship with Mr. Ravensworth, who allowed him almost entirely to manage things his own way. This office afforded him an excuse to guide his feet oftener towards Seaview than he could otherwise have done. On the Sunday following the events narrated in our last chapter, Mr. Lennox, Mr. Ravensworth, and near them Johnny, might have been seen standing on the

he stranger, "by telling me w

ied Mr. Lennox, drawing himself up to his full height, and laying peculiar stress on the word "officer.

and have no time to waste, but if you could let me know where to find you to-morrow, a

asure, but my friend and copartner in office here, Mr. Ravensworth, w

re in waiting for you," said Mr. Ravens

hering the reins together, he whipped up his impatient horses, and was gone,-the groom swinging himself up, as the dr

d Mr. Lennox, "that young

an of fortune, who can drive a dashing trap,-probably one of the

page, his commanding way of speaking,-all argued bir

avensworth, laughing; "but here we are at my house; I will let yo

nnox, as he walked on. "I would stake

h he went there professedly to read, in reality he went there as a watchman for the expected carriage. It was then only a little after ten, and the earliest time he had named was not till twelve; yet Johnny cast many a wistful glance along the road. L'Estrange had an engageme

be here at any minute, Ellen

hour dragged its slow length through: one struck,-Johnny's face fell. "I believe, after all, he won't come,-stay, here he comes at

he drove, that she naturally looked. The drag stopped at the door, and the same nimble servant lightly stepped down

apprised of his presence yet-he will perhaps

me to the

haps the gentlema

d, and saying the gentleman would not come in. Mr. Ravensworth gave a perceptible start w

r keeping you waitin

minute. Step in and I will drive you to the church. Is that

on, J

will like a ride too,"

le down stairs to see if she could find out who he was. On the hall table lay a card-could she believe her eyes?-there it was neatly engraved "Earl of Wentworth." It is like an intervention of Providence, thought the romantic girl, as she ran with the card upstairs to her own room, and in the giddiness of her first excitement actually pressed it to her lips. He had touched it! She had seen him too, as he turned round to welcome her father and broth

course he knew nothing of this, though great events sprang from that chance. Lord Wentworth said he should send a carpenter to do it up a little, and he then drove them b

ught Mr. Ravensworth as he entered his house; "we

in upon them that evening, and at

Lennox; who do

not tell; one of

uess a

sing, tell m

orth," said Ellen,

he was somebody, I am no fool; I can tell rank even in beggars' garb," said the proud man. "And what sort

Johnny, "he is s

u call a belted Earl a 'jolly chap' again; it is disres

ions, and proposed little alterations he felt sure would very much please his lordship. We shall see by-and-by in what spirit they were received. The week, to Ellen, wore very slowly away; at last the long-wished-for day dawned when she was again to gratify her fatal wishes, and see him once more. A short time before the hour Lord Wentworth was expected Mr. Lennox made his appearance at Seaview, in order, as he said, to ask Mr. Ravensworth's opinion on a will, but really in hopes he might be asked by the Ear

favourite servant on a horse almost equally magnificent. Ellen was, however, charmed at the manner he managed his fiery steed, which showed his fine figu

rive here

discontentedly, "he

, as he thus saw his hoped-for drive vanish, "however," he said, "if his lordship

nted and rang the bell. He had not long to wait; almost instantly the door was opened by th

to Ellen's extreme vexation, he prop

oungster," (addressing Johnny), "you li

g the idea of mounting a thoroughbred horse, as its fiery eye and t

hen I was a boy I should have jumped at the proposal,

manner which made Johnny feel glad he was not exposed to. Little was said on their way to the church;-when they reached it Mr. Lennox, as usual, led the way to the pew, round which stood Mr. Taylor, the upholsterer, and several workmen admiring their handy-wo

gant, and distingué," said Mr. Lennox

expression. Then turning sharply round on Mr. Taylor, and muttering to himself, "elegant!" "distin

ght,-my

take the trash away!" and suiting the action to the word, with one kick his lordship literally smashed the frail door

not this gin-palace snobbery!" shouted the enraged

was not Mr. Taylor's fault but his own

iness and let me mind mine-I am not accustomed to have my orders count

s order with the utmost despatch, much

ing: I wished a comfortable pew, not a vulgar display for every one to stare at. Let all this be done by to-mor

in his sleeve at Mr. Lennox's discomfiture, stood in stupid astonishment, till he was roused by an angry "Out of the way, boy-what are you blocking up the passage for?" and saw his lo

eparting from orders, and even Johnny could not help muttering something about Mr. Lennox's good taste, which he did not fail to hear, and which added to his wrath and chagrin not a little. When Ellen heard the story she was more vexed than any of them,-vexed at this cloud which seemed to

ain, by Jove! you would not have got off so well: I think he would have floored the whole of you, and thrashed

rother, the Captain, and the Marquis of Arranmore just arrived, all traces of his anger immediately vanished. That evening much had to be talked on over their wine, and after the youn

than an hour after all the rest had sought the charms of Morpheus, a feat the Captain alone was cap