"Yes, Mr. Moseley," said Denbigh, mournfully; "your sister is faultless-
-but I am not worthy of her--my deception"--here the door again opened
to the admission of Peter Johnson. Both the gentlemen rose at this
sudden interruption, and the steward advancing to the table, once more
produced the formidable pocket-book, the spectacles, and a letter. He
ran over its direction--"For George Denbigh, Esquire, London, by the
hands of Peter Johnson, with care and speed." After the observance of
these preliminaries, he delivered the missive to its lawful owner, who
opened it, and rapidly perused its contents. Denbigh was much affected
with whatever the latter might be, and kindly took the steward by the
hand, as he thanked him for this renewed instance of the interest he
took in him. If he would tell him where a letter would find him in the
morning, he would send a reply to the one he had received. Peter gave
his address, but appeared unwilling to go, until assured again and again
that the answer would be infallibly sent. Taking a small account-book
out of his pocket, and referring to its contents, the steward said,
"Master has with Coutts & Co. £7,000; in the bank, £5,000. It can be
easily done, sir, and never felt by us." Denbigh smiled in reply, as he
assured the steward he would take proper notice of his master's offers
in his own answer. The door again opened, and the military stranger was
admitted to their presence. He bowed, appeared not a little surprised to
find two of his mail-coach companions there, and handed Denbigh a
letter, in quite as formal, although in a more silent manner than the
steward. The soldier was invited to be seated, and the letter was
perused with an evident curiosity on the part of Denbigh. As soon as the
latter ended it, he addressed the stranger in a language which John
rightly judged to be Spanish, and Peter took to be Greek. For a few
minutes the conversation was maintained between them with great
earnestness, his fellow travellers marvelling much at the garrulity of
the soldier however, the stranger soon rose to retire, when the door
thrown open for the fourth time, and a voice cried out,
"Here I am, George, safe and sound--ready to kiss the bridesmaids, if
they will let me--and I can find time--- bless me, Moseley!--old
marling-spike!--general!--whew, where is the coachman and guard?"--it
was Lord Henry Stapleton. The Spaniard bowed again in silence and
withdrew, while Denbigh threw open the door of an adjoining room and
excused himself, as he desired Lord Henry to walk in there for a few
minutes.
"Upon my word," cried the heedless sailor, as he complied, "we might as
well have stuck together, Moseley; we were bound to one port, it seems."
"You know Lord Henry?" said John, as he withdrew.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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