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But on the other side of the lake, nearly opposite to Mervyn Hall, is a d d cake-house, the resort of walking gentlemen of all descriptions poets, players, painters, musicians who come to rave, and recite, and madden about this picturesque land of ours. It is paying some penalty for its beauties, that they are the means of drawing this swarm of coxcombs together.
Though unable to fix on any plausible mode of proceeding, I determined, at least, to discover his present condition. Perhaps something might suggest itself, upon the spot, suited to my purpose. Without delay I proceeded to the village of Newtown, and, alighting at the door of the prison, inquired for my father. "Sawny Mervyn you want, I suppose," said the keeper. "Poor fellow!
'No, it was not true that he had ever been confined in a mad house. 'He had never had delirium tremens. 'He had never heard that his wife thought him mad. 'Yes, it was true he had pledged silver of his master's at the Pied Horse at Newmarket' 'He knew it was a felony, but it was the prisoner who put it into his head and encouraged him to do it. 'Yes, he would swear to that. 'He had several times spoken to Lord Dunoran, when passing under the name of Mervyn, on the subject of his father being wronged. 'He never had any promise from my lord, in case he should fix the guilt of that murder on some other than his father. Our friend, Captain Cluffe, was called, and delivered his evidence in a somewhat bluff and peremptory, but on the whole effective way.
Irons swore an oath such as I hope parish clerks don't often swear, and which would have opened good Dr. 'Your threats of violence are lost on me, I can take care of myself, said Mervyn, haughtily. The clerk smiled a strange sort of smile. 'But I've already pledged my sacred honour not to mention your name or betray your secret.
He talked more volubly than usual, and once or twice there came a little flush over his pallid forehead and temples. But, on the whole, he was very much the same brisk, sardonic talker and polite gentleman whom Mr. Mervyn had so often discoursed with in Chapelizod. On this occasion, his narrative ran on uninterruptedly and easily, but full of horrors, like a satanic reverie.
Puddock had now little to trouble him upon a topic which had once cost him some uneasiness, and Mervyn acquiesced serenely in the existing state of things, and seemed disposed to be 'sweet upon' pretty Lilias Walsingham, if that young lady had allowed it; but her father had dropped hints about his history and belongings which surrounded him in her eyes with a sort of chill and dismal halo.
She will rattle on with a poor fellow one night as if she had eyes for no one else, then leave him in the lurch the next. She cares not a rush for any of them, only wants to be run after. As to her followers, some of them are really smitten, I fancy. There was Fitzhugh, but he is an old hand, and can pay her in her own coin, and that sober-faced young Mervyn it is a bad case with him.
It is all very well weaving the sort of dream or poem with which Mervyn was half amusing and half awing himself, but the sensation is quite different when a questionable sound or sight comes uninvited to take the matter out of the province of our fancy and the control of our will.
Was it this young man who came under your window and conversed with you during your residence at Mervyn Hall? Julia I command I entreat you to be candid." Miss Mannering raised her head.
The consequence of this letter was, that, having first despatched the faithless messenger with the necessary powers to Mr. Mac-Morlan for purchasing the estate of Ellangowan, Colonel Mannering turned his horse's head in a more southerly direction, and neither "stinted nor staid" until he arrived at the mansion of his friend Mr. Mervyn, upon the banks of one of the lakes of Westmoreland.
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