On the contrary, the yearning to reach that future, to pass on through that darkness to some brighter place beyond, was all the more strong and urgent.  In short, excited imagination had produced some hope, without the slightest probability to foster it.  He had even been told that he was to expect information of a painful kind.  Not one word had been said to give him the expectation of a bright destiny:  and yet there was something so sweet, so happy, in having found any one whose tenderness had been bestowed upon his infant years, and whose affection had remained unchanged by time and absence, that hope—­as hope always is—­was born of happiness; and though that hope was wild, uncertain, and unfounded, it made the natural eagerness of youth all the more eager.

When he lay down to rest he slept not, but still many a vision floated before his waking eyes, and thought made the night seem short.  On the following morning he was early up and dressed; but by seven o’clock a note was put into his hand, in a writing which he did not know.  On opening it, however, he found it to contain a request, couched in the most courteous terms, from the Duke of Gaveston, that he would call upon him immediately, and before he went to the house of Lord Byerdale.  There was scarcely time to do so; but he instantly ordered his horse, and galloped to Beaufort House as fast as possible.  He was ushered immediately into a small saloon, and thence into the dressing-room of the Duke, whom he found in a state of considerable agitation, and evidently embarrassed even in explaining to him what he wanted.

“I have sent for you, Mr. Brown,” he said,—­“I have sent for you to speak on a matter that may be of great consequence:—­not that I know that it will be—­not that I have heard anything—­for I would not hear, after I found out what was the great object; but—­but—­”

Wilton was inclined to imagine that some unexpected obstacles had occurred in regard to the proposed alliance between the families of the Duke and of the Earl of Byerdale, and he certainly felt no inclination to aid in removing those obstacles.  He replied, therefore, coldly enough, “If there is anything in which I can serve your grace, I am sure it will give me much pleasure to do so.”

His coldness, however, only seemed to increase the Duke’s eagerness and also his agitation.

“You can, indeed, Mr. Brown,” he said, “render me the very greatest service, and I’m sure you are an honourable and an upright man, and will not refuse me.  If you had explained yourself more clearly the night before last, I am sure I would have taken your advice at once, and would not have gone at all; but, as it is, I stayed not a moment longer than I could help, and have now broken with Fenwick and Barklay for ever.  They vow that I am pledged to their cause, and must take a part, but they will find themselves mistaken.”

Wilton now found that the good nobleman’s fancy had misled him, and that his agitation arose from something that had taken place at the meeting at the Old King’s Head, in regard to which he certainly knew nothing, nor indeed wished to know anything.  He replied, however, somewhat more warmly,—­