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Nay, fair kinswoman," and the count, with a slight but grave smile, bowed to Violante, who had uttered a faint cry, "that intention is abandoned. If I have adopted too lightly the old courtly maxim, that 'all stratagems are fair in love, I am bound also to yield to my Lord L'Estrange's arguments, that the counter-stratagems must be fair also.
Nevertheless, L'Estrange's suspicions of Randal were too strong to be easily set aside, and therefore he replied, civilly, but with covert taunt, "I submit to your rebuke, Mr. Leslie, though I meant not the offence you would ascribe to me.
Lord L'Estrange's hand rested now upon a letter in a stiff, legible Italian character, and instead of disposing of it at once as he had done with the rest, he spread it before him, and re-read the contents. It was a letter from Riccabocca, received a few weeks since, and ran thus: I thank you, my noble friend, for judging of me with faith in my honour, and respect for my reverses.
Then, gazing more intently on the writing, a low cry broke from his lips. He reseated himself, and began to read. Randal with many misgivings at Lord L'Estrange's tone, in which he was at no loss to detect a latent irony proceeded to Norwood.
She was beautiful beyond his fairest dreams of woman he owned that to himself but it was not the kind of beauty that he admired it was too vivid, too highly colored, too brilliant. He preferred the sweet, pure lily to the queenly rose. Still he said to himself that he had never seen a face or figure like Miss L'Estrange's. No wonder that she had half London at her feet.
I have not yet spoken to my Lord; it may be days before I find a fitting occasion to do so; meanwhile I feel assured that your sense of propriety will make you agree, with me that it is due to Lord L'Estrange's father, that strangers should not learn arrangements of such moment in his family before his own consent be obtained."
To be sure, your dear life is insured for her marriage portion; but " "Pazzie-stuff!" said Riccabocca, petulantly; "her marriage portion would be as nothing to a young man of Randal's birth and prospects. I think not of that. But listen: I have never consented to profit by Harley L'Estrange's friendship for me; my scruples would not extend to my son- in-law.
To be sure, your dear life is insured for her marriage portion; but " "Pazzie-stuff!" said Riccabocca, petulantly; "her marriage portion would be as nothing to a young man of Randal's birth and prospects. I think not of that. But listen: I have never consented to profit by Harley L'Estrange's friendship for me; my scruples would not extend to my son-in-law.
You must not be thrown out at such a time, even for a month or two. I hear that you will have a contest some townsmen of the borough, I think. But the Lansmere interest must be all-powerful; and I suppose L'Estrange will come out and canvass for you. You are not the man to have lukewarm friends!" "Don't be alarmed about my election. I am as sure of that as of L'Estrange's friendship."
Good-by; and and pray believe that, in whatever you do with Levy, I have no hand in it." Towards the evening, Randal was riding fast on the road to Norwood. The arrival of Harley, and the conversation that had passed between that nobleman and Randal, made the latter anxious to ascertain how far Riccabocca was likely to learn L'Estrange's return to England, and to meet with him.
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