Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 09

								

respecting Evelyn's wishes as to certain arrangements in her property.
And for this was it that Lumley had toiled! for this had he visited Lisle
Court! and for this had he been stricken down to the bed of pain!  Was it
only to make his old rival the purchaser, if he so pleased it, of the
possessions of his own family?  Lumley thought at that moment less of
Evelyn than of Lisle Court.  As he woke from the stupor and the first fit
of rage into which these epistles cast him, the recollection of the story
he had heard from Mr. Onslow flashed across him.  Were his suspicions
true, what a secret he would possess! How fate might yet befriend him!
Not a moment was to be lost.  Weak, suffering as he still was, he ordered
his carriage, and hastened down to Mrs. Leslie.
In the interview that took place, he was careful not to alarm her into
discretion.  He managed the conference with his usual consummate
dexterity.  He did not appear to believe that there had been any actual
connection between Alice and the supposed Butler.  He began by simply
asking whether Alice had ever, in early life, been acquainted with a
person of that name, and when residing in the neighbourhood of -----.
The change of countenance, the surprised start of Mrs. Leslie, convinced
him that his suspicions were true.
"And why do you ask, my lord?" said the old lady.  "Is it to ascertain
this point that you have done me the honour to visit me?"
"Not exactly, my dear madam," said Lumley, smiling.  "But I am going to
C----- on business; and besides that I wished to give an account of your
health to Evelyn, whom I shall shortly see at Paris, I certainly did
desire to know whether it would be any gratification to Lady Vargrave,
for whom I have the deepest regard, to renew her acquaintance with the
said Mr. Butler."
"What does your lordship know of him?  What is he; who is he?"
"Ah, my dear lady, you turn the tables on me, I see,--for my one question
you would give me fifty.  But, seriously, before I answer you, you must
tell me whether Lady Vargrave does know a gentleman of that name; yet,
indeed, to save trouble, I may as well inform you, that I know it was
under that name that she resided at C-----, when my poor uncle first made
her acquaintance.  What I ought to ask is this,--supposing Mr. Butler be
still alive, and a gentleman of character and fortune, would it please
Lady Vargrave to meet with him once more?"
"I cannot tell you," said Mrs. Leslie, sinking back in her chair, much
embarrassed.
"Enough, I shall not stir further in the matter.  Glad to see you looking
so well.  Fine place, beautiful trees.  Any commands at C-----, or any
message for Evelyn?"
Lumley rose to depart.
"Stay," said Mrs. Leslie, recalling all the pining, restless, untiring
love that Lady Vargrave had manifested towards the lost, and feeling that
she ought not to sacrifice to slight scruples the chance of happiness for