CHAPTER XXV.
SIR LAWRENCE ACTS.
Sir Lawrence Dacre was just stepping out of Mr. Large’s house, his head erect, his eyes shining, his whole face transformed, looking as a man might who has just received some very joyful tidings, when he suddenly felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, and, turning, found himself face to face with Lord Teignmouth.
Sir Lawrence’s face changed again, and he drew a little away from his former friend. He could not forget Reginald’s cruel desertion of his young sister, and was not inclined to encourage his advances under the circumstances.
But when he scrutinized him closer, Lord Teignmouth looked so thoroughly miserable and ill, that he could not help relenting a little and allowing him to walk along by his side.
“Where are you going now?” inquired the earl presently. “I want to have a little confidential talk with you, and should prefer to get out of the streets.”
“I am going to my lodgings,” replied Sir Lawrence; “but I have not much time to spare, as I leave for the country this evening.”
“Is Gwen here with you? I have been making inquiries in every direction, and couldn’t hear anything about either of you; so I imagined you were still abroad.”
Sir Lawrence colored, and said evasively:
“We were abroad for some time, but my wife is at the seaside at present with our boy. I hope we shall be settling down now. I begin to long after home.”