A Nest of Linnets

had hurried away because he was in love with Miss Linley, she was anxious to learn if Miss Linley was in love with any one. The fact that Miss Linley was walking by the side of

vestigation that, because Betsy Linley had promised to marry Mr. Long, she was therefore in love with some one else. She could

aking some remark to the girl, and she had her head slightly bent toward him, while she listened attentively-smilingly. Clearly she had not

a day over sixty,"

nded Mrs. Cholmondeley. Gar

he lady; O so

r out the ever

ponding with exquisite blushes to the patronising smiles of the ladies

the group. There was gravity as well as dignity in

he said, bowing low, and touching the gras

ate your own worth by talking

e of me to make the attempt to fall in with the general tone of the co

sir, to seek to deprive the worl

perceive the tende

k for generosity in a lover?" said Garrick. "Good lud, madam! the

hy; but we were talking of quite another kind of love, were

restrial," said Mrs. Crewe, lifting

is why I am by the side of

ck. "Miss Linley I have always held to

offer me an engagement to sing at Dr

onderful representation of a man who is

en her hand and was in the act of bowing to the three beautiful ladies who were laughing archly at Garrick, when

for the girl's movement suggested her confidence in his power to protect her. The ladies saw the expression that was on her face

er?" cried Mathews, while still a few paces away from the group. Then, pretending t

er," he cried. "Sure, my error was a natural one! I ask you, Mrs. Thrale, if 'tw

on such matters, though I have my own idea of what c

hat?" cried Mathews. "Mrs. Thrale

or you to give her exampl

ye the case of an old man who makes love

words in such a sense, Mr.

'twas but my jes

sir, 'twas a very sorry

in earshot feel himself aggrieved by my humour, he will not find

his lips, and struck t

versation with Mrs. Cholmondeley. For a moment he was separated from

h to marry a man old enough to be you

de Mr. Long; but he adroitly prevente

putting his face close to hers, his eyes glaring into her own (he was imitating the attitu

stand tamely by and see you

ge

re are many girls far more worthy than I am who would feel flatte

the man to prevent an open quarrel. He saw tha

to you that I have set my soul upon you. Murder-what is murder to such a man as I have become through you-all through the curse of your beauty! Do you think that I would hold back my knife for the space of a second from the throat of any man who was going to take you away from me? I swear to you that I would kill

ached that point in the madness of his jealou

ago-blood

e marvellous accuracy of Garrick's art. She was now face to face with the real thing-with the man in the clutch of an overwhelming passion; and yet she was not mor

d. "Oh, you must be quite mad! If you cared ever so l

e said. He kept his eyes fixed upon hers for some seconds, and then he

he men was upon her, and in an instant Mr. Long had turned to her. Another instant and he had thrust himself b

unless we hasten onward we shall not be in time to meet ou

sy's hand, bent his head before the ladies and young Captain Horneck, of the Gua

hews had a reputation for being an element of the lurid in the atmosphere of Bath. For a few moments after Long and Betsy had gone, he seemed uncertain what course to

e twenty yards, but while he was sti

ou, Mr. Long,

g turne

rds with you,

I wish to give you a word of warning. I wish you to hear me swear

nd then in the terrified f

ley!" said he. "My last day on earth-true; for thenc

ord, you will find yours

gadocio airs have weight with me? I have but to raise my finger and the handcuffs are about your wrists. I know more about your past

his eyes. Mechanically he bowed, removing his hat while Long and Betsy walked on. Then he stood staring after them, failing to recover himself even though he could scarcely have avoided hearing the laugh that broke from

p. "Oh no; I have studied men and their motives to small purpose these thirty years if I could bring m

way Mr. Long grasped his ca

id not hear what Mr. Long said to the fellow, but we saw how he grasped his cane, and let me assure you, madam,

I am sorry for Mr. Lo

nds star

he had to stand up before a man twenty-five years his

hrale. "I am sure that so excellent an observer as Mrs. Crewe will, upon reflection, perceive that the best chance an elderly gentleman has of captivating the heart of a young woman i

her already,"

marry him," said Mrs. Thrale, w

hink of winning her after he has mar

ale. "Procrastination in a lover can be carried

a diamond: I am so overwhelmed by the jewels of wisdom which you have fl

le if you suggest that you have failed to assimila

men.' We have seen Macbeth's 'Amen' stick in your throat more than once, Mr. Garrick, and I vow that when Mrs. Thrale

y unless I differed from her," said Garri

Mrs. Crewe. "Lud! Mr. Garrick, duels was the topic

eley, whose pronunciation was not quite free from the Irish brogu