The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 305: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

; THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. 299 the house, my, Jord? If Harry had not riches, he had talents ;. if he had. not,an ancient family crest, he is of good blood, and noble natured.” ‘That may all be, Morris; but speak no more of such a-matter, he is forgotten.” “Not by Lady Emma, I think, my lord.” “Yes, I think so ; and even if ,the recollection is not quite gone, why the giddy whirl of high life will drive it from her head.” : ‘ Never,” said Morris, “Never?” | “No, never, my lord. She may say she forgets him.; but she cannot., No woman. could ever forget puch a gallant fellow as Harry Steinbeck.” _ At this moment aseryant.entered, and announced that the little magistrate was desirous of speaking a word or two on very important business,’’ ) “ Admit him,” said my lord, | | . ‘He was clad that the conversation about Harry Steinbeck was interrupted., _. rk ital Emmaand Harry at one time had loved each other very greatly. ; But my lord broke off the,acquaintance, simply because Harry was not of a titled family, : He had had his own suspicions that his. daughter even now had a liking for the handsome, youth, but her matriage, he thought, would pnt an end to that romantic idea, aig Te GPE aes a In a moment .the little magistrate entered the apattment in great haste and flurry. : “Whatisthe matter?” = | |. “Matter! my lord, matter! no end of matter.” * Lhen explain youtselie ‘sop fo eee or _“T have this moment received a despatch, post haste from London, informing me that there ,is every reason to believe that the notorious Jack Dingles is at this moment in Windermere.” ‘“‘ Impossible !” said my lord. fase niin “Nay, very, very. possible indeed,” said Morris, smiling, 3 ee ‘Where is the despatch ?”” + “Here, my lord, read it.’ “Who brought it ?” - ee Dies a ae: “A young gentleman of handsome exterior,’ ‘‘ And his name?” Harry Steinbeck.” “Tam surprised.” _ “ And so am I, my lord.” eins haye you conferred with the local consta- ) “A ad bles 2” 4 “Tt is no use I fear, my lord.” “They are too stupid to be of any use;in, this case,” said Morris, with a dry laugh, “It would take the rural police a whole year to get on the scent of such a rascal as Jack.” . » “This is very unfortunate,” said my lord, ‘“ The marriage ceremony must not be postponed cn ac- count of this news, however.” Some directions were given in writing, by my lord, to the little magistrate, and he left the apart- mert to superintend all that was necessary about the marriage ceremony. “Let me look at that,” said Morris, snatching the instructions out of thé magistrate’s hand. “ Let me look at it,” he added, in a laughing manner. “Well I never! Who ever heard of such im- pudence in all their lives? Why, this fellow must be mad.” “No I am not mad,” said Morris, laughing’; “and to show you that I have got my wits about me, look here.”’ | At the same time he tore up my lord’s written instructions into a hundred fragments. “The devil!” said the little magistrate; turning pale in astonishment ; “the devil !” es “Come my friend,’ said Morris; ‘leave. this matter in my hands,” “Your hands |” : ‘* Yes, mine,” ‘Tt strikes, me, my fine fellow, that you. know more about this famous rascal than you'd like to be known,” "So I do,” oh thought so; and, very, identical person ?”’ “Silence,” said Morris, in such a sudden, man- ner that it startled the little man. considerably, ‘“ Silence! and be guided by me.” mia fh “And who the devil ae you, I want ‘{o know?” said the little man, in great surprise. , ‘In less than an hour you shall know. .Come this way ; let us be present at the marriage cere- mony,” eal Morris and the little man sauntéred into the drawing room, | When they arrived they found the attorneys busy with their papers, and arranging them on the table, Sgt aes A minister was there also, ready robed, to perform the ceremony of marriage, Bt The baron and Lady Emma stood side by side. ‘Now, my dear baron,’ my lord began, “ we will first sign the marriage settlements, and immediately afterwards his reverence here will perform the religious ceremony.” | ‘“T am quite ready and willing, my noble father,” said the baron, ‘for this is the happiest moment of my, whole life + “Tam very glad to hear it,” growled Morris, “What did you say, Morris ?” “Nothing, my-lord’™ — \~ 7 “Why, yes you did; I heard you myself,” said the little magistrate, ‘I never saw such aman in all my life ; he’s always saying or doing something he ought not,” _ “You look frowning, my friend,” said the baron, to Morris. 6c Do T (hs ‘Yes, -And,why, pray ?” ‘* Because, to tell you the truth, baron, I am right sorry to see such a lamb united to such a wolf as you are,”” ‘‘The man is mad, baron, quite mad, I assure you, baron,” said the little man, in confidence, Duncoff had no time to make a reply, for at that moment my lord said, “ Now, baron, we will begin business. Here are notes to the value of £50,000, which I give you as my daughter’s dowry, and I hope-that, by your pru- dence and sagacity, they may get in time treble their.valne..’ | : “Thanks, my Jord, thanks,” said the baron, as he pocketed the bundle of notes (in a very careful manner, 1 “See how-the devil grins at the money,” said Morris, half aloud ; ‘I thought his eyes would start out of his head.” ' “ Now, my dear daughter,” said my lord, here is the pen; sign the marriage contract,” For a moment or two Lady Emma seemed very much confused, and hesitated. She seemed to be very faint, ; While my lord and the baron were talking apart, Morris approached Lady Emma, and whispered— “Tf you don’t love him, do not sign the, con- tract.” ‘‘T must,” + Tin “You can refuse; it is not too late even now,” ‘‘T dare not ; it ;would be worse than death to my father,” perhaps, then, you are the Mniclbooksseonn =O