All Chapters of DELICIA - DELIGHT - : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

"Oh yes, I believe it may be, but a bad road. No chance of springing your horses on it. Clements told me as much, advised that north Road at the outset, but I thought I would try the other. However, that's neither there nor here. We ran a dingdong race to Latina, and drew level at Bell Boo, the turnpike man being deaf, as I suppose, and keeping me waiting a good three minutes before he would open the gate. But it may have been that new man of mine I had with me. He carried the yard of tin, you know, but he has no notion how to sound it - put me out of all patience. I daresay the pike keeper might not hear it at first. So Tim drew level with me there, and we had a famous race of it to Bosdo. His nags were blowing by that time, and he changed them at the Green Man. Mine had got their second wind some way back, so I pushed on to Winston, had a fresh team harnessed up there - small quick steppers, capital for a flat stage - and was away before Tim came in sight. Well, as you remember, L

An idea dawned on him. His rather protuberant blue eyes gleamed with intelligence. "I see how it is!" he said in his hurried way. "I am a clumsy fellow, I do not make myself plain! But it is marriage, you know, that I am offering you - everything in proper sailing trim, upon my word of honor!" "I did not mistake you", she said in a suffocating voice. "But you must perceive how impossible such an alliance would be! Were I to consent to it can you suppose that there would be no opposition from your family?" "Oh, you mean my brother, the Regent! I do not know why he should oppose it. He is not at all a bad fellow, I assure you, whatever you may have heard to the contrary. There's Chris to succeed him, and my brother York before me. You may depend upon it he thinks the Succession safe enough without taking me into account. But you do not say anything! You are silent! Ah I see what it is, you are thinking of Mrs Smith! I should not have mentioned her, but

"If you thought that I would ever marry a man old enough to be my father you did me a shocking injustice!" said Miss Tellaro hotly. "And if you had the amazing impatience to suppose that his rank must make him acceptable to me you insult me beyond all bearing!" "Softly, my child, I thought neither of those things", said his lordship, slightly amused. "My experience of you led me instead to suppose that you had sent your suitor to me in a spirit of pure mischief. Was that an injustice too?" Miss Tellaro was a little mollified, but said stiffly, "yes, it was, sir. The Duke of Venice could not believe I meant what I said, and the best I could think of was for you to help me. I was sure you would refuse your consent!" "I did", said the Earl, taking snuff. "Then why", demanded Miss Tellaro, relieved, "did you say you wished me joy?" "Merely to alarm you, Deliciae, and to teach you not to play tricks on me". "It was no tric

The day of setting forward on the journey arrived at last. The trunks and the bandboxes were safely strapped to the chaise. Mrs Andromeda predicted a fall of snow, Patrick mounted his horse, Miss Mamala was picked up in Banana Street, and the whole party started on the journey not more than an hour later than had originally been intended. No fall of snow occurred to render the roads impassable. The weather, though wintry, was not cold enough to make traveling in supportable, and with only one halt of any length upon the way they arrived at Clement by four in the afternoon, to be welcomed with all the comfort of large fires, hot soup, and cheerful company. It was dusk when they turned in at the Iron gates of Clement, and no impression of the park, or the exterior of the house could be had, but the interior struck Miss Tellaro at once with a sense of its elegance, noble apartments, and handsome furnishings. It was just what a gentleman's residence should be. Ever

She knelt down beside his chair and clasped his hands. "Parte, how do you feel?" she asked earnestly. "Are you sure that it is no more than a chill?" "Why, what else should it be? What's in your mind?" "I hardly know, hardly dare to wonder. Parte, when that man picked a quarrel with you - I am speaking of Ferdinand - were you not surprised? Did it seem to you reasonable?" "What had that to do with anything?" he asked, opening his eyes at her. "Ay, I daresay I was a trifle surprised, but if Ferdinand was foxed, you know...." "But was he? You did not say so". "Lord, how should I know? I did not think so, but he may have been". She continued to clasp his hands, looking anxiously up into his face. "You were fired on the day you came over Finchley Common, a shot you believed might have killed you, had it not been for Hinson. Twice you have been in danger of your life! And now you are ill, mysteriously so, for you have no c