As nothing further could be learnt, John withdrew. A good deal of
irritation mixed with the vexation of Moseley at his disappointment; for
Denbigh, he thought, too evidently wished to avoid him. That he was the
companion of his kinsman, the Duke of Derwent, he had now no doubt, and
he entirely relinquished all expectations of finding him in London or
its environs. While retracing his steps in no enviable state of mind to
his lodgings, with a resolution of returning immediately to L----, his
arm was suddenly taken by his friend Chatterton. If any man could have
consoled John at that moment, it was the Baron. Questions and answers
were rapidly exchanged between them; and with increased satisfaction,
John learnt that in the next square, he could have the pleasure of
paying his respects to his kinswoman, the Dowager Lady Chatterton, and
her two daughters. Chatterton inquired warmly after Emily, and in a
particularly kind manner concerning Mr. Denbigh, hearing with
undisguised astonishment the absence of the latter from the Moseley
family.
Lady Chatterton had disciplined her feelings upon the subject of Grace
and John into such a state of subordination, that the fastidious
jealousy of the young man now found no ground of alarm in anything she
said or did. It cannot be denied the Dowager was delighted to see him
again; and if it were fair to draw any conclusions from coloring,
palpitations, and other such little accompaniments of female feeling,
Grace was not excessively sorry. It is true, it was the best possible
opportunity to ascertain all about her friend Emily and the rest of the
family; and Grace was extremely happy to have intelligence of their
general welfare so direct as was afforded by this visit of Mr. Moseley.
Grace looked all she expressed, and possibly a little more; and John
thought he looked very beautiful.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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