Ravenshoe. By Henry Kingsley.

382 RAVENSIOE.
in Berkeley Street, if you can help it, Simpson. If you must
keep a lodging-house, I should say Jermyn Street; but don't let
me influence you. I am not sure that I would n't sooner see you
in Brook Street, or Conduit Street. But don't try Pall Mall,
that's a good fellow; or you'11 be getting fast men, who will demoralize your establishment. A steady connection among government clerks and that sort of person will pay best in the long
run."
4" My dear lord, - my good old friend, why should you talk
like this to-night?"
" Because I am very ill, Simpson, and it will all come at once;
and it may come any time. When they open Lord Barkham's
room, at Cottingdean, I should like you and Mr. Marston to go
in first, for I have left something or another about."
An hour or two after his bell rang, and Simpson, who was in
the dressing-room, came hurriedly in. He was sitting up in bed,
looking just the same as usual.
"My good fellow," he said, "go down and find out who rung
and knocked at the door like that. Did you hear it?"
" I did not notice it, my lord."
"Butchers, and bakers, and that sort of people, don't knock
and ring like that. The man at the door now brings news, Simpson. There is no mistake about the ring of a man who comes
with important intelligence. Go down and see."
He was not long gone. When he came back again, he said:
" It is Lord Ascot, my lord. He insists on seeing you immediately."
" Up with him, Simpson, - up with him, my good fellow. I
told you so. This gets interesting."
Lord Ascot was already in the doorway. Lord Saltire's brain
was as acute as ever; and, as Lord Ascot approached him, he
peered eagerly and curiously at him, in the same way as one
scrutinizes the seal of an unopened letter, and wonders what its
contents may be. Lord Ascot sat down by the bed, and whispered to the old man; and when Simpson saw his great, coarse;
red, hairless, ruffianly face actually touching that of Lord Saltire,
so delicate, so refined, so keen, Simpson began to have a dim suspicion that he was looking on rather a remarkable sight. And so
he was.
" Lord Saltire," said Lord Ascot, "I have seen Charles Ravenshoe, to-night."
"You are quite sure?"
"I am quite sure."
"i Ha! Ring the bell, Simpson." Before any one had spoken
again, a footman was in the room. " Bring the major-domo here
instantly," said Lord Saltire.