JffiDITATED REVENGE, 177 



"My address is No. — , Rue St. Honor6," giving him his 

 card; "and it you call upon me there, at twelve o'clock this 

 day week, we will endeavour to settle our differences, Mr. 

 Vernon ; " with which Lord Vancourt pursued his walk, medi- 

 tating revenge for his late friend's insolence. 



Yernon was equally bent on selling Lord Yancourt to the 

 best advantage, unless he fulfilled his contract with him, as 

 from his inability to grasp his unfortunate wife's money so 

 readily as anticij^ated, he was obliged to resort to his usual 

 method of bringing " grist to his mill," by aid of the dice box 

 and cards. Lord Yancourt, after leaving Yernon, met an old 

 acquaintance in the person of Major Stowell^ who had just 

 arrived in Paris, from London. " Ah, Yancourt," exclaimed 

 the Major, *'it is yourself, I suppose, although your face is 

 confoundedly altered somehow." 



" Got a smash on the nose, old fellow, from being thrown 

 out of my cab three weeks ago," 



"Won't do, Yancourt; we read and heard all about your 

 failure with the heiress at the club — long account of it in the 

 Times — I thought it a devilish plucky thing, and sorry you 

 did not succeed. Ten thousand a-year was worth trying hard 

 for — but how was it 1 we saw two different versions of the 

 affair, one that the lady was willing — the other quite the 

 reverse." 



" The truth lies between the two, I believe," replied Lord 

 Yancourt — " she would, and she would not ; in fact, I was too 

 much in a hurry, and that villain, Richard Yernon, I believe, 

 sold me at last by putting her friends up to my moves, so that 

 just as I was getting her into my own carriage, a lot of fellows 

 bore down upon us — shot me through the arm, and have 

 nearly, if not quite, killed one of my assistants." 



" Devilish awkward business, Yancourt, and I hear Lord 

 Malcolm swears he will transport you, if he can, for this 

 attempt on his cousin." 



" That he can't do, Stowell, as I have her guardian's letter, 

 accepting my proposals for his ward, and wishing me success in 

 my addresses." 



" Well, that's something in your favour, Yancourt ; but 

 depend upon it, it is a serious matter ; and if you will take my 

 advice, don't show your face in England until the trial is 

 over." 



" The man I dread most of all," replied Lord Yancourt, " is 

 Richard Yernon, who was staying with me at Marston Castle^ 



L 



