But Mr. Dunborough laughed in his face. 'Pooh!' he said. 'I know where

they are.' 'You know? Then where are they?' Thomasson asked.

'Ah, my good Tommy, that is telling.' 'Well,' Mr. Thomasson answered, with an assumption of dignity. 'At any

rate they are gone. And you must allow me to say that I am glad of

it--for your sake!' 'That is as may be,' Mr. Dunborough answered. And he took his first

airing in a sedan next day. After that he grew so reticent about his

affairs, and so truculent when the tutor tried to sound him, that Mr.

Thomasson was at his wits' end to discern what was afoot. For some time,

however, he got no clue. Then, going to Dunborough's rooms one day, he

found them empty, and, bribing the servant, learned that his master had

gone to Wallingford. And the man told him his suspicions.

Mr. Thomasson was aghast; and by that day's post--after much searching of heart and

long pondering into which scale he should throw his weight--he

despatched the following letter to Lady Dunborough: 'HONOURED MADAM,--The peculiar care I have of that distinguished and

excellent gentleman, your son, no less than the profound duty I owe to

my lord and your ladyship, induces me to a step which I cannot regard

without misgiving; since, once known, it must deprive me of the

influence with Mr. Dunborough which I have now the felicity to enjoy,

and which, heightened by the affection he is so good as to bestow on me,

renders his society the most agreeable in the world. Nevertheless, and

though considerations of this sort cannot but have weight with me, I am

not able to be silent, nor allow your honoured repose among the storied

oaks of Papworth to be roughly shattered by a blow that may still be

averted by skill and conduct.

'For particulars, Madam, the young gentleman--I say it with regret--has

of late been drawn into a connection with a girl of low origin and

suitable behaviour, Not that your ladyship is to think me so wanting in

savoir-faire as to trouble your ears with this, were it all; but the

person concerned--who (I need scarcely tell one so familiar with Mr.

Dunborough's amiable disposition) is solely to blame--has the wit to

affect virtue, and by means of this pretence, often resorted to by

creatures of that class, has led my generous but misguided pupil to the

point of matrimony.

Your ladyship shudders? Alas! it is so. I have

learned within the hour that he has followed her to Wallingford, whither

she has withdrawn herself, doubtless to augment his passion; I am forced

to conclude that nothing short of your ladyship's presence and advice

can now stay his purpose. In that belief, and with the most profound

regret, I pen these lines; and respectfully awaiting the favour of your

ladyship's commands, which shall ever evoke my instant compliance, 'I have the honour to be while I live, Madam, Your ladyship's most humble obedient servant, 'FREDERICK THOMASSON.




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