Alice, or the Mysteries — Book 09

								

Dale Cottage, I did know one of the name of Butler!  Has he discovered
the name I bear?  Where is he?  I implore you to write, or let me see
you before you leave England!



          ALICE VARGRAVE.

Lumley smiled triumphantly when he read and carefully put up this letter.
"I must now amuse and put her off--at all events for the present."
In answer to Lady Vargrave's letter, he wrote a few lines to say that he
had only heard through a third person (a lawyer) of a Mr. Butler residing
somewhere abroad, who had wished these inquiries to be made; that he
believed it only related to some disposition of property; that,
perhaps, the Mr. Butler who made the inquiry was heir to the Mr. Butler
she had known; that he could learn nothing else at present, as the
purport of her reply must be sent abroad,--the lawyer would or could say
nothing more; that directly he received a further communication it should
be despatched to her, that he was most affectionately and most truly
hers.
The rest of that morning Vargrave devoted to Lord Saxingham and his
allies; and declaring, and believing, that he should not be long absent
at Paris, he took an early dinner, and was about once more to commit
himself to the risks of travel, when, as he crossed the hall, Mr. Douce
came hastily upon him.
"My lord--my lord--I must have a word with your l-l-lordship;--you are
going to--that is--" (and the little man looked frightened) "you intend
to--to go to--that is--ab-ab-ab--"
"Not abscond, Mr. Douce; come into the library: I am in a great hurry,
but I have always time for you.  What's the matter?"
"Why, then, my  lord,--I--I have heard nothing m-m-more from your
lordship about the pur-pur--"
"Purchase?--I am going to Paris, to settle all particulars with Miss
Cameron; tell the lawyers so."
"May--may--we draw out the money to--to--show--that--that we are in
earnest?  Otherwise I fear--that is, I suspect--I mean I know, that
Colonel Maltravers will be off the bargain."
"Why, Mr. Douce, really I must just see my ward first; but you shall hear
from me in a day or two;--and the ten thousand pounds I owe you!"
"Yes, indeed, the  ten--ten--ten!--my  partner is very--"
"Anxious for it, no doubt!  My compliments to him.  God bless you!--take
care of yourself,--must be off to save the packet;" and Vargrave hurried
away, muttering, "Heaven sends money, and the devil sends duns!"
Douce gasped like a fish for breath, as his eyes followed the rapid steps
of Vargrave; and there was an angry scowl of disappointment on his small
features.  Lumley, by this time, seated in his carriage, and wrapped up
in his cloak, had forgotten the creditor's existence, and whispered to
his aristocratic secretary, as he bent his head out of the carriage
window, "I have told Lord Saxingham to despatch you to me, if there is
any--the least--necessity for me in London.  I leave you behind, Howard,