woman in the presence of another, without the qualifying his speech a little); “and Mr. Lord Denbigh—­earl like, as they say he now is, and”—­Peter stopped a moment to deliberate, and then making another reference, he put the glass to his lips; but before he had got half through its contents, recollected himself, and replenishing it to the brim, with a smile acknowledging his forgetfulness, continued, “and the Rev. Mr. Francis Ives, and the Rev. Mrs. Francis Ives.”

Here the unrestrained laugh of John interrupted him; and considering with himself that he had included the whole family, he finished his bumper.  Whether it was pleasure at his own eloquence in venturing on so long a speech, or the unusual allowance, that affected the steward, he was evidently much satisfied with himself, and stepped back behind his master’s chair, in great good humor.

Emily, as she thanked him, noticed a tear in the eye of the old man, as he concluded his oration, that would have excused a thousand breaches of fastidious ceremony.  But Pendennyss rose from his seat, and took him kindly by the hand, and returned his own thanks for his good wishes.

“I owe you much good will, Mr. Johnson, for, your two journeys in my behalf, and trust I never shall forget the manner in which you executed your last mission in particular.  We are friends, I trust, for life.”

“Thank you—­thank your honor’s lordship,” said the steward, almost unable to utter; “I hope you may live long, to make dear little Miss Emmy as happy—­as I know she ought to be.”

“But really, my lord,” cried John, observing that the steward’s affection for his sister had affected her to tears, “it was a singular circumstance, the meeting of the four passengers of the stage so soon at your hotel.”

Moseley explained his meaning to the rest of the company.

“Not so much so as you imagine,” said the earl in reply; “yourself and Johnson were in quest of me.  Lord Henry Stapleton was under an engagement to meet me that evening at the hotel, as we were both going to his sister’s wedding—­I having arranged the thing with him by letter previously; and General M’Carthy was also in search of me, on business relating to his niece, the Donna Julia.  He had been to Annerdale House, and, through my servants, heard I was at an hotel.  It was the first interview between us, and not quite as amicable a one as has since been had in Wales.  During my service in Spain, I saw the Conde, but not the general.  The letter he gave me was from the Spanish ambassador, claiming a right to require Mrs. Fitzgerald from our government, and deprecating my using an influence to counteract his exertions”—­

“Which you refused,” said Emily, eagerly.

“Not refused,” answered the earl, smiling at her warmth, while he admired her friendly zeal, “for it was unnecessary:  there is no such power vested in the ministry.  But I explicitly told the general, I would oppose any violent measures to restore her to her country and a convent.  From the courts, I apprehended nothing for my fair friend.”