“No, my Lord,—mine is at the head of the list,” cried the doctor; “and in every other part of it, no injuries can be equal to mine. What are barns, pigs, firearms, compared to a father’s wrongs—a husband’s injuries. Ah, consider my case first. Restore Miss St. Clare, and I’ll be pacified. Why do I raise laughter by my cry? It is my niece, my favourite child, who has been taken from me.” “Pray explain to me seriously, Sir,” said Lady Augusta, approaching the doctor, with much appearance of interest, “how came your family to fall into the unfortunate situation to which you allude?” “How came they,” said the Count? “can you ask, when you see Sir Everard at the head of it?” “Madam,” said the Doctor with equal solemnity, “this momentous crisis has been approaching some time. St. Clara, as we called her, my most lovely and interesting Elinor’s affections have long been seduced. We all knew, lamented and concealed the circumstance. The old lady’s conduct, however, was quite an unexpected blow. But since they took to their nocturnal rambles to St. Mary’s, St. Alvin’s, and all the saints around, their sanctity has not been much mended that I see, and their wits are fairly overset. As to my girls, I really feel for them: my own disgrace I can easily support: but oh my Elinor!” “What nocturnal meetings have taken place at St. Mary’s and St. Alvin’s?” said Lady Trelawney, with a face of eager curiosity. “The discontented flock together in shoals,” said the Doctor, indignantly, “till by their machinations, they will overturn the State. At Belfont, opposite my very window,—aye, even in that great square house which Mr. Ochallavan built, on purpose to obstruct Lady St. Clare’s view, have they not set up a library? The Lord help me. And was it not there I first saw that accursed pamphlet Lord Glenarvon wrote; which rhapsody did not I myself immediately answer? Lady Calantha, strange things have occurred since your departure. Captain Kennedy, commander of the district, can’t keep his men. Cattle walk out of the paddocks of themselves: women, children, pigs, wander after Glenarvon: and Miss Elinor, forgetful of her old father, my dear mad brother, her aunt, her religion, and all else, to the scandal of every one in their senses, heads the rabble. They have meetings under ground, and over ground; out at sea, and in the caverns: no one can stop the infection; the poison in the fountain of life; and our very lives and estates are no longer in safety. You know not, you cannot know, what work we have had since you last left us.” Sir Everard paused, and then taking a couple of pamphlets from his pocket, entreated Calantha to peruse them. “Cast your eye over these,” he said: “I wrote them in haste; they are mere sketches of my sentiments; but I am going to publish. Oh! when you see what I am now going to publish. It is intituled a refutation of all that has or may be said by the disaffected, in or out of the kingdom.” CHAPTER II.