“Nay: let us not judge hastily,” cried Mr. Hatfield: “remember—I have heard nothing against the characters of these ladies; and it may be a virtuous and honest affection, after all, that renders Charles a visitor at their house. Let Mr. Villiers, then, act with circumspection—and behave with the strictest courtesy towards these ladies, should he encounter them.”
“Yes—but under any circumstances you must persuade Charles to return with you immediately to this house,” said the Earl. “Mr. Hatfield will acquaint you with the precise address of the lodgings in Suffolk Street——”
The Earl’s half-brother mentioned the number of the dwelling to which he had traced his son on the preceding evening;—adding, “The name of the ladies is Fitzhardinge—and I heard that the daughter bears the singular denomination of Perdita.”
“Perdita!” cried Villiers, starting violently. “Oh! if this be the case——unhappy, lost Charles Hatfield!”
“Good heavens! what mean you?” demanded the wretched father, rendered terribly anxious by those ominous words that fell on his ears like a death-knell.
“Two ladies—mother and daughter—dwelling together—and the girl named Perdita,” mused Clarence Villiers, not immediately heeding the earnest appeal of Mr. Hatfield: “yes—yes—it must be they!—my aunt—my wretched, wretched aunt who has returned from transportation—and her profligate but beauteous daughter!”
“Do you mean that Mrs. Slingsby who—years ago—you know to what I allude?” asked Mr. Hatfield, in a hurried tone, as he grasped Clarence violently by the wrist.
“Yes—I do mean that bad woman!” exclaimed Villiers, who had now become painfully excited in his turn: “and I regret—Oh! I regret to say that she has brought over to England her daughter, whom report mentions as an angel of beauty and a demon in profligacy——”
“My God! Mr. Villiers—save Charles—save my Charles from these incarnate fiends!” cried Mr. Hatfield. “Or I myself——”
And he was rushing to the door of the library, when the Earl held him back, saying, “No, Thomas—you must not go in this excited state: let Villiers take the affair in hand.”