"Indeed, Dick, when Emily Capel died, I was sincere in my purpose never

to marry; and I looked upon you always as the future earl, until one

night in Rome, in a moment, the thing was altered."

"I can understand that, William."

"I was married very quietly, and have been in Italy ever since. Only

four days have elapsed since I returned to England. My first inquiries

were about you."

"I pray you, do not believe all that my enemies will say of me."

"Among other things, I was told that you had left the army."

"That is exactly true. When I heard that Lord Percy's regiment was

designed for America, and against the Americans, I put it out of the

king's power to send me on such a business."

"Indeed, I think the Americans have been ill-used; and I find the town

in a great commotion upon the matter. The night I landed, there had come

bad news from New York. The people of that city had burned effigies of

Lord North and Governor Hutchinson, and the new troops were no sooner

landed than five hundred of them deserted in a body. At White's it was

said that the king fell into a fit of crying when the intelligence was

brought him."

Hyde's white face was crimson with excitement, and his eyes glowed like

stars as he listened.

"That was like New York; and, faith, if I had been there, I would have

helped them!"

"Why not go there? I owe you much for the hope of which my happiness has

robbed you. I will take Hyde Manor at its highest price; I will add to

it fifty thousand pounds indemnity for the loss of the succession. You

may buy land enough for a duchy there, and found in the New World a new

line of the old family. If there is war, you have your opportunity. If

the colonists win their way, your family and means will make you a

person of great consideration. Here, you can only be a member of the

family; in America, you can be the head of your own line. Dick, my dear

brother, out of real love and honour I speak these words."

"Indeed, William, I am very sensible of your kindness, and I will

consider well your proposition for you must know that it is a matter of

some consequence to me now. I think, indeed, that my Katherine will be

in a transport of delight to return to her native land. I hear her

coming, and we will talk with her; and, anon, you shall confess,

William, that you have seen the sweetest woman that ever the sun shone

upon."




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