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FORTY NINE
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2021-09-03 18:00:00Patrick lifted one from its bed, weighed it in his hand, and tested the pull. Then he laid it down again and shut the case. "Nicely balanced", he remarked.
"Yes, there are a first rate pair", agreed Mr Fritzwa. "Hair trigger, of course. It'll go off at a touch". The coach stopped in Great Almond Street to pick up the doctor, who came out of his house almost as soon as the horses pulled up, and jumped nimbly into the coach. He had a black case under his arm, which Patrick knew must contain the instruments of his profession. Oddly enough, the sight of it affected him more unpleasantly than the case of pistols had done. "You are in good time, gentlemen", said the doctor, ribbing his hand together. "It is a cold morning, is it not?" "Cold enough", said Mr Fritzwa. "But it won't be long before we are all of us drinking hot coffee in a place I know of hard by the Green". "Myself, I never touch coffee", said the doctor. "I hold it to bRelated chapters
DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY
The doctor turned his back, and the seconds retreated to a distance of eight paces. Patrick was conscious of a sharp wind, ruffling his yellow locks, he fixed his eyes on Ferdinand, trying to decide on some object on his dress to choose as his mark.Mr Fritzwa was holding up a handkerchief, it fluttered in the wind, a splash of white against a background of grey.Then, before the word could be given, an interruption took place. A third coach, this time a heavy, lumbering affair, had driven up, and several men now jumped down from it, and came running toward the duelists, shouting, "in the name of the Law! Hold!"Patrick jerked his head round, heard a stifled oath from Ferdinand, and the next minute was in the grip of a burly officer."I arrest you in the name of the Law!" puffed this individual. "Attempt to break the peace! I shall have to take you before a magistrate".Mr Fritzwa, who admitted afterward that he had never been s
Last Updated : 2021-09-04DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY ONE
"Yes, yes, of course I am safe", said Patrick, clumsily patting her shoulders. "What the devil do you mean by making all this stir, James? You fool, did I not charge you to wait until you heard from Mr Fritzwa?"His sister grasped the lapels of his coat. "Tell me at once, Patrick, what has happened?""Nothing has happened. I can tell you, I am in a pretty rage, Liz! A rare fool I am made to look! We were informed against, and I have a strong notion who laid the information!""Whoever he may be he has earned my undying gratitude!" declared Elizabeth, still shaken from the fright she had had. "How could you go out to fight without a word to me? Oh, how I hate the practice of dueling! How I despise all you men for thing it a way to settle a quarrel!""Stuff!" said Patrick, disengaging himself from her clasp. "As for you, James, be off to your work! You've meddled enough for one day! If I had dreamed the fellow was not to be trusted - but I mi
Last Updated : 2021-09-04DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY TWO
"No, indeed", she said earnestly. "Parte is only a boy, he has these nonsensical notions. You are wiser. Oh, do not tell me! Indeed, you need not! You saved him, and I am - you do not know how grateful!"He took her hand in both of his. "To earn your good opinion there is nothing I would not do!" he said.Her eyes fell before the look in his. "You have earned it. From the bottom of my heart I thank you"."I want more than gratitude", he said, holding her fast. "Tell me, may I hope? I dare not press you, you have seemed to show me that you do not wish me to speak, and yet I must! Only assure me that I may hope - I ask no more!"She was most strangely moved, and knew not how to answer him. Her hand trembled, he bent and kissed it. She murmured, "I do not know. I - I have not thought of marriage. I wish you would not ask me yet. What can I answer?""At least tell me that there is no one else?""There is no one else, cousin", s
Last Updated : 2021-09-05DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY THREE
The Earl drew out a chair in the opposite side of the table and sat down. From under the shade of his curly brimmed hat, which he wore rather tilted over his face, his eyes mocked unpleasantly. "You think I might be weary of being seen in your company? Very true, but I believe my credit with the world to be fairly good. My reputation might yet survive. You may sit down"."I have every intention of doing so", retorted Ferdinand, suiting the action to the word and tossing off what remained of his second glass of daffy. "I am sure I am highly honored to have your lordship's company!""Make the most of it then", advised the Earl, "for it is not an honor that is likely to befall you again".Ferdinand's hand fidgeted with his empty glass, he was watching the Earl covertly. "Indeed! And what may your lordship mean?""Merely that I shall have no further need of your company after tonight, Ferdinand. Circumstance has caused our path to cross, but t
Last Updated : 2021-09-06DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY FOUR
Clements was sitting very still in his chair, his glance never wavering from Ferdinand's face. "Go on, Mr Ferdinand", he said. "I am waiting to hear what it is you will say"."Nothing!" Ferdinand said quickly."Not even the name of the man who hired you?" said the Earl softly."Nothing, I tell you! No one hired me!"The Earl shut his snuff box. "No doubt you are wise", he said. "He might - who knows? - take steps to put you out of the way, might he not? And I am afraid that even if you had the courage to divulge his name it would not be of very much use. It would be your word against his, Ferdinand, and to be honest with you I hardly think yours would be heeded. You see, I have considered all that"."No need!" Ferdinand said, glaring at him. "I've told you I shall divulge nothing!""I am glad to find that you have such a wholesome regard for your skin", murmured Clements. "I hope that I may prompt you to keep away fro
Last Updated : 2021-09-07DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY FIVE
Mr Tellaro's hands clenched involuntarily. "I am grateful to you for showing me your hand so plainly, sir", he said. "In my turn I would remind you that your jurisdiction over Miss Tellaro expires within a year. It did not need this conversation to convince me that you are nursing designs which are as unscrupulous as they are shameless. Understand, if you please, that I am not to be cowed into standing out of your way"."As to that, Mr Tellaro, you will do as seems best to you", said the Earl. "But you will bear in mind, I trust, that when I find an obstacle in my way I am apt to remove it". This was said without heat, even blandly, and the Earl, not waiting to see how it was received, bowed slightly and walked away toward the parlor door.* * *Not very long after the episode of his frustrated duel Patrick went off to stay in Latina with the Mamalas, who traveled from Rome early in December with the intention of spending some weeks in the country. The
Last Updated : 2021-09-08DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY SIX
Miss Tellaro had had time to reflect while Clements was engaged with Miss Crews that he had not shown any surprise on meeting her. When Miss Crews had walked off she asked him in her abrupt way whether he had expected to find her at Belview."Why, yes", he replied. "I believe I was informed of it". The gleam in his eyes made her suspect him strongly of having had some say in her being invited. She said, "Oh! I, on the other hand, had not the least notion of finding you here"."If you had you would not have come, I daresay".She raised her brows. "I hope I am not so prejudiced that I cannot be staying in the same house with you"."That is very encouraging", said the Earl. "Do you know, I was presumptuous enough to think that you were quite glad to see me when I came in?"She hesitated, and then said with a rueful smile, "well, perhaps I was a little glad. I have been feeling rather strange amongst a set of company I don't know. T
Last Updated : 2021-09-09DELICIA - DELIGHT - FIFTY SEVEN
He drew out a chair for her beside his own. "I know", he said understandably, "but it has a good appearance, and one need not go beyond the second field"."Not go beyond the second field!" she echoed. "Why, won't you go farther, Mr Alexandra?""No, I don't think so", he replied very gravely. "There is sure to be a farmhouse where I can get some bread and cheese, and you must know there is nothing I like better than that"."Bread and cheese instead of hunting!" she said. "I cannot allow it to be a choice!""Yes, but you see, if I went very far I should get my tops and leathers splashed by all the greasy, galloping farmers", he replied softly.But even her partiality for him couldn't induce Miss Tellaro to smile at such a speech as that. She looked reproachful, and could only say, "I am persuaded you do not mean it".She was to discover later that he had for once spoken in all sincerity. He abandoned the hunt after the
Last Updated : 2021-09-10
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DELICIA - DELIGHT - THE END
"Now do you know why I am glad to be rid of my ward?" demanded the Earl."Oh", said Miss Tellaro foolishly, "I was afraid you meant me to marry your brother!""Were you indeed? And was all the determined flirting I have been watching between you merely to show me how willing you were to oblige me? Nonsensical child! I have been in love with you almost from the first moment of setting eyes on you"."Oh, this is dreadful!" said Miss Tellaro, shaken by remorse. "I disliked you amazingly for weeks!"The Earl kissed her again. "You are wholly adorable", he said."No, I am not", replied Miss Tellaro, a soon as she was able. "I am as disagreeable as you are. You would like to beat me. You said you would once, and I believe you meant it!""If I only said it once I am astonished at my own forbearance. I have wanted to beat you at least a dozen times, and came very near to doing it once - at Cockfield. But I still think you ado
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-TWENTY
"You can have a dozen yachts", replied the Earl, "if only you will go away!" "I was sure you would agree!" declared Patrick radiantly. "I could not conceive of any reason why you should not! And do you think Evans' cousin..." "Yes", said the Earl. "I am persuaded Evans' cousin will be the very man for you. You had better go and talk it over with Evans before he leaves Romanina". Patrick was a good deal struck by this suggestion. "Upon my word, that is a capital notion! I believe I will do it at once, if you don't mind my leaving you?" "I can bear it", said the Earl. "Let me advice you not to lose any time in setting out". "Well, I think I had best be off at once", said Patrick. "And when I have talked it over with Evans I will come and tell you all about it". "Thank you very much", said the Earl gravely. "I shall be on the watch for you, I assure you". Miss Tellaro turned away to hide a
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-NINETEEN
The Earl had knocked on the door by this time, and in a few moments his step was heard on the stairs. Patrick went out to meet him. "Come up, sir! We are both here!" he said. "How do you do? You are the most complete have indeed, you know! My head, when I awoke! My mouth too! There was never anything like it!""Was it very bad?" inquired the Earl, leisurely mounting the last three stairs."Oh, beyond anything! But I don't mean to complain. I have had a famous time of it! But come into the drawing room! My sister is there, and I have something very particular to say to you. Liz, here is Lord Clements".Miss Tellaro, who for reasons best known to herself, has suddenly become absorbed in her embroidery, laid aside the frame and got up. She shook hands with the Earl, but before she could speak Patrick was off again."I wish you would tell me, sir, what you call that way of tying your cravat! It is devilish natty!""I don't call it anythin
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-EIGHTEEN
"I am very sensible of it. To be sure, we were completely taken in by my cousin. And to drug me, and put me aboard his yacht - Lord, I thought he was going to murder me when he forced that stuff down my throat! - was the neatest piece of work! I had no notion I should like being upon the sea so much! Evans was in a great pucker lest I should be angry at it, but, 'Lord', I said, 'you need not think I shall try to swim to shore! This is beyond anything great!' "Miss Tellaro sighed and have up the struggle. Patrick continued to talk of his experiences at sea until it was time to go to bed. Miss Tellaro could only be glad that since he had formed the intention of driving to Clements' Resort upon the following day any further description of grounds swells, squalls, wearing, luffing, squaring the yards, or reefing the sails must fall to Miss Mamala's lot instead of hers.It was a melancholy reflection that although she would have been ready to swear, a day before, tha
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-SEVENTEEN
She looked up at him doubtfully. "You are not going to come with me?" she asked."I must ask you to excuse me, Miss Tellaro. I have still something to do here".She let him lead her to the door, but as he opened it, and would have bowed her out, she laid her hand on his arm, and said under her breathe, "I don't want him dead!""You may safely leave everything to me, Miss Tellaro. There will be no scandal".She cast a glance at her cousin, and looked up again at the Earl. "Very well. I - I will go. But I - I don't want you to be hurt, Lord Clements!"He smiled rather grimly. "You need not be alarmed, my child. I shan't be"."But...""Go, Miss Tellaro", he said quietly.Miss Tellaro, recognizing the note of finality in his voice, obeyed him.She found that a chaise and four, with the Earl's crest on the panels, was waiting for her outside the cottage. She got into it, a
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-SIXTEEN
Bartholomew Tellaro's eyes were fixed on the Earl's face. He swallowed once, but said nothing.The Earl took a pinch of snuff." On the whole ", he said reflectively, "I believe Harry enjoyed the task. It was a little beneath his divinity, but he is extremely attached to me, Mr Tellaro - a far more reliable tool, I assure you, than any of your not very efficient hirelings - and he obeyed me implicitly in not letting you out of his sight. You would be surprised at his resourcefulness.When you drove your gig over to New Shahar to strike a bargain with that seafaring friend of yours you took Harry with you, curled up in the boot. His description out that mode of travel is profane but very graphic.I am anticipating, however. Your first action was to introduce a creature of your own into Patrick's household - a somewhat foolhardy proceeding, if I may say so. It would have been wiser to have risked coming into the foreground at that juncture, my dea
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-FIFTEEN
"Almost immediately. You may perhaps remember bringing me word once of Patrick's being got into a bad set of company. You mentioned Ferdinand's name, and it crossed my mind that I had seen Ferdinand in your cousin's company once or twice.At the time my only suspicion was that there might conceivably be a plot on hand to bleed Patrick of his fortune at cards. I dealt with that by frightening Patrick with a threat to send him back to Tellaro if I found he had contracted debts of honor above what his allowance would cover.I thought also that a discreet inquiry into the state of Mr Tellaro's finances might not be inopportune. I admit, however, that I was so far from suspecting the truth that I committed the impudence of sanctioning Patrick's betrothal to Miss Vivian Mamala. In doing that I undoubtedly placed him in jeopardy of his life. While Patrick remained single there was no pressing need to be rid of him.I imagine that before he arranged for the boy's death
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-FOURTEEN
The beast looked down at her, and as the expression that had frightened her died out of his eyes, he transformed gradually back into the Clements Elizabeth knew. "I beg your pardon, Deliciae", he said tiredly. "I was rather forgetting your presence. You may get up, Mr Tellaro. We will finish this when Miss Tellaro is not present".Bartholomew Tellaro had also gradually transformed back into his original self and had struggled on to his elbow. He dragged himself to his feet, and stood leaning heavily against the wall, trying to regain full possession of his senses.The Earl picked up the only surviving chair and handed Miss Tellaro to it. "I owe you an apology", he said. "You have had an uncomfortable sort of a morning, and I am afraid that was my doing. The world is not as you see it every day, Miss Tellaro! There are terrible things in this world and you have just witnessed one"."Patrick - he said it was you who kidnapped Patrick!" she blurted.&nbs
DELICIA - DELIGHT - HUN-THIRTEEN
"Elizabeth, I swear to you I know no more than you do what has become of him! I had no hand in that. What do I care for Patrick, or his fortune? Have I proved myself so false that you can believe that of me? It is you I want, have wanted from the day I first saw you! I never meant it to be like this, but what could I do, what other course was open to me? Nothing I could have said would have prevented you from going to Rome with Richard, and once you were in his and Clements' hands, what hope had I of saving you from that iniquitous marriage? Again and again I have warned you not to trust Clements, but you have not heeded me! Then came Patrick's disappearance, and once more you would not listen to me. When so, I should have shrunk from taking this step had I not seen the marriage license in Richard's possession. But I knew then that is I was to save you from being the victim of Clements' fiendish schemes. I must act drastically - treacherously, if you will! - but yet because I love y
