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Updated: July 26, 2025
'Twas a long story, as you know, my dears. He lighted his pipe and laid his big hand over mine, and filled my glass, and I told him most of that which had happened to me. But I left out the whole of that concerning Mr. Manners and the Duke of Chartersea, nor did I speak of the sponging-house.
I had little trouble, however, in persuading her. For news was a rare luxury in those days, and Patty was plainly uncomfortable until she should have it out. "I would not give you the vapours to-night for all the world, Richard," she exclaimed. "But if you must, Dr. Courtenay has had a letter from Mr. Manners, who says that Dolly is to marry his Grace of Chartersea. There now!"
Marmaduke goes posting off to Nottinghamshire, and comes back inside the duke's own carriage. And his Grace goes to dine in Arlington Street for the first time in years. Dorothy had wind of the trouble then, Charles having warned her. And not a word would she speak to Chartersea the whole of the dinner, nor look to the right or left of her plate.
Then she straightened, and only the quiver of her lip marked the effort. "To save me from the Duke of Chartersea?" she said, so coldly that my conviction was shaken. "Explain yourself, sir." "You cannot love him!" I cried, amazed. She flashed upon me a glance I shall never forget. "Richard Carvel," she said, "you have gone too far.
She stopped, seemingly, to weigh the wisdom of what was to come next, while I leaned forward with an eagerness I could not hide. Was she to speak of the Duke of Chartersea? Alas, I was not to know. For at that moment Dorothy came back to inquire why I was not gone to the cudgelling at the Three Hats. I said I had been invited to stay to dinner. "Why, I have writ a note asking Comyn," said she.
Comyn dropped his voice still lower. "I believe she suspects something," he said, rising. "Chartersea is gone off toward the Wilderness, so Tom says. You must not let little Marmaduke see him. If you are not back in a reasonable time, I'll after you."
I could not keep out the contempt from my tone. "I beg a word with you." In his condition then words were impossible. His teeth rattled again, and he trembled like a hare caught alive. I kept my hold of him, and employed the time until he should be more composed peering into the darkness. For all I knew Chartersea might be within ear-shot. But I could see nothing but black trunks of trees.
I replied passionately; "you are deceived by the old liking she has always had for me since we were children together." I was deeply touched by his friendship. "But tell me how that could affect this marriage with Chartersea. I believe her pride capable of any sacrifice for the family honour." He made a gesture of impatience that knocked over a candlestick.
The bloated face and beady eyes and the broad crooked back I had seen that day in Arlington Street rose before me, I should know his Grace of Chartersea again were I to meet him in purgatory. Was it, indeed, possible that I could prevent her marriage with this man? I fell asleep, repeating the query, as the dawn was sifting through the blinds. I awakened late.
I have adored, I shall be content to adore from far below. And I stayed, I stayed that I might save you if a danger threatened." "Danger!" she exclaimed, catching her breath. "I will come to the point," I said. "I stayed to save you from the Duke of Chartersea." She grasped the balcony rail, and I think would have fallen but for my arm.
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