'Everything we need. His loyalty to the present occupant of the Throne
is entirely beyond a suspicion. He can act as he will without peril to
his reputation. He can even rescue your papers, which are not in the
same strong box as my own. The Colonel, if any man, can assist you if
he will.'
'But he will not,' said her ladyship sullenly.
'He will,' answered Kelly confidently, 'if properly approached. He is
a man of honour, I take it? You will pardon me for saying that your
ladyship's flattering behaviour towards me, in his presence (for the
nature of which you had, doubtless, your own particular reasons) can
have left him in no doubt on certain heads; while it is equally plain
that your ladyship hath no longer any very tender interest in keeping
his esteem and regard. Nevertheless, being a gentleman, he will not
abandon your ladyship's cause.'
Lady Oxford was in no way comforted.
'It may well be as you say,' she returned with a look at Mr. Kelly.
She had already one example of how much a gentleman could forgive a
woman when she stood in need of his help. 'But, Mr. Kelly, you cannot
come at Colonel Montague.'
'Why not?'
'You know very well that he lodges in the same house as yourself. I
sent a lackey with a note to you, yesterday. And your reply was dated
from 13 Ryder Street.'
Mr. Kelly stepped back, he could hardly believe his ears.
'Colonel Montague--lodges--in the same house as myself?' he asked.
'Yes,' Lady Oxford replied in a dispirited fashion. She had lost heart
altogether. Mr. Kelly, on the other hand, was quite lifted up by the
unexpected news.
'This is a mere miracle in nature,' he cried. 'I only went into my
present lodgings two days ago. I have been abroad for the greater part
of the time, and asleep the rest, and have had no knowledge of the
other tenants, even of their names. 'Faith, madam, your letters are as
safe as though the ashes were now cold in your grate.'
'But the Colonel will have gone home, and you are to be taken in Ryder
Street. You will not get speech with him.'
'Nay, madam, he has not gone home. He is waiting for me now.' Lady
Oxford started. 'Ah, your ladyship remembers. He is waiting for me.
Ten yards from your doorstep--ten yards at the farthest,' and Kelly
actually chuckled. Carried away by his plan, he began to pace the room
as he unfolded it. 'I shall see the Colonel, and if I can by any means
do so, I will acquaint him, as far as is necessary, with the
embarrassing posture of your affairs. I shall give him the key of the
box containing the--brocades, and, if the Messengers be not already in
possession of them, the rest must be entrusted to his honour as a
gentleman and a soldier. The unexpected accident of our being
fellow-lodgers gives him, to this end, a great advantage, and can
scarce have occurred without the providence of--some invisible power
or another which watches over your ladyship.'
Kelly thought that Lady Oxford this night had enjoyed what is called
the Devil's own luck.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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