The Man in Black: An Historical Novel of the Days of Queen AnneJames, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
History
The Man in Black: An Historical Novel of the Days of Queen Anne
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714 -- Fiction
"It would be too long and too painful to explain all just now, dear
one," answered her lover. "But such a thing may happen, my Emily.
Deceived, and in error, he may perhaps reproach you for things you
never dreamt of. He may also judge wrongly of your conduct in not
having told him of this young scoundrel's proposal to you. In either
case put that packet of papers in his hands, and tell him frankly and
candidly every thing."
"He is sometimes so reserved and grave," said Emily, "that I never
like to speak to him on any subject to which he does not lead the way.
I sometimes think he does not understand me, Marlow, and dread to open
my whole heart to him, as I would fain do, lest he should mistake me
still more."
"Let no dread stop you in this instance, my own dear girl," Marlow
answered. "That there have been dark plots against you, Emily, I am
certain. The only way to meet and frustrate them is to place full and
entire confidence in your father. I do not ask you to speak to him on
the subject unless he speaks to you till I have obtained the proofs
which will make all as clear as daylight. Then, every thing must be
told, and Sir Philip will find that had he been more frank himself he
would have met with no want of candor in his daughter. Now, one more
kiss, dear love, and then to my horse's back."
I will not pursue Marlow's journey across the fair face of merry
England, nor tell the few adventures that befell him on the way, nor
the eager considerations that pressed, troop after troop, upon his
mind, neither will I dwell long upon his proceedings in London, which
occupied but one brief day. He went to the house of his banker, sought
out the little clerk of Messrs. Doubledoo and Kay, and contrived from
both to obtain proof positive that Mrs. Hazleton had supplied a large
sum of money to young John Ayliffe to carry on his suit against Sir
Philip Hastings. He also obtained a passport for France, and one or
two letters for influential persons in Paris, and returning to the inn
where he had left the man who had accompanied him from the country,
set out for Calais, without pausing even to take rest himself. Another
man, a clerk from his own lawyer's house, accompanied him, and though
the passage was somewhat long and stormy, he reached Calais in safety.
Journeys to Paris were not then such easy things as now. Three days
passed ere Marlow reached the French capital, and then both his
companions were inclined to grumble not a little at the rapidity with
which he travelled, and the small portion of rest he allowed them or
himself. In the capital, however, they paused for two days, and,
furnished with an interpreter and guide, amused themselves mightily,
while Marlow passed his time in government offices, and principally
with the lieutenant of police, or one of his commissaries.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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