One other change was also apparent. They had scarcely commenced breakfast, when Lord Osselstone sent for his valet, to desire him to make some other coffee, as his Lordship had just recollected that he always preferred what he prepared to any other. The alacrity with which the old man obeyed the command, showed how much he valued the compliment thus paid to the very point of his character on which he most valued himself, next to his talent for arranging full-bottomed periwigs, which he always contended were the most becoming dresses ever invented for young gentlemen. When he returned with the coffee, "There," said he, with a look of triumph, "I have taken pains with that, and you'll find it ten times better than these jabbering Frenchmen can make, here in the heart of Germany; but you'll get nothing fit to eat till you get back to Old England; I always told you so." His expostulations were however unavailing, as the travellers pursued their journey towards Vienna, where they arrived in the beginning of September. Not the most distant allusion was made by either to the confidence Lord Osselstone had reposed in Augustus, though the almost indefinable tokens of increased kindness, that now marked the Earl's manner to his companion, showed that, however painful the communication had been at first, yet his grief in being shared was lightened. As when the soft breath of spring dissolves the icy chain that binds the torrent, though it may at first burst in desolating fury, yet its streams gradually subside in peace, and glide in smoother currents, blessed and blessing on their way.
CHAPTER XIX.
Could I, not prizing thee, give thee my hand,
I should despise myself—and how not prize thee?
Lloyd.
Immediately on their arrival at Vienna, Lord Osselstone commenced his researches after his brother; and, through the active exertions of the gentleman who had formerly been Reginald's banker, first ascertained the existence of Adelaide, and also other testimony concerning her and her father, that served most satisfactorily to corroborate the intelligence that now reached him from Ballinamoyle, as Mr. O'Sullivan, even more anxious than Adelaide herself to receive the sanction of Lord Osselstone for the child of his beloved Rose, had prevailed on Mr. Dermoody to be himself the bearer of the letters addressed to the Earl; and the venerable priest, with unwearied zeal, followed the travellers from London to Vienna, where he finally was more than rewarded for his anxiety by the cordiality and readiness with which both his Lordship and Augustus acknowledged her claims.
The purpose for which Lord Osselstone had undertaken this journey being thus accomplished, though in a very unexpected manner, he and Augustus immediately prepared to return to England, both anxious to be introduced as relatives to Adelaide, whom Augustus recollected having admired when he only knew her as the ward of Mrs. Sullivan, but for whom he now already felt the partiality of a cousin; and his description of her elegant person and captivating manners prepossessed Lord Osselstone in her favour, even more than the exaggerated, though sincere encomiums of Father Dermoody. He willingly accepted the Earl's proposal to accompany them back to London in his carriage, from whence it was settled he should hasten home for the purpose of escorting Adelaide to Osselstone House, provided she accepted her uncle's invitation of coming to reside with him for a few months, and that Mr. O'Sullivan could be prevailed upon to part with her. When they reached Calais, they found a packet ready to sail by the following tide for Dover, in which they secured their passage; and Mr. Dermoody meantime profited by the opportunity afforded him by a few hours' delay, of visiting some of his early friends; whilst the Earl and Augustus beguiled their time in reading a variety of English newspapers of different dates, which their host procured for them.
They had not very long been thus engaged, when Lord Osselstone's attention was attracted by the evident agitation of Augustus, who, starting with a convulsive shudder, threw down the paper he was reading, and paced up and down the room with quick and uneven steps. Lord Osselstone glanced his eye on the rejected newspaper, and immediately attributed his emotion to the following paragraph:
"Viscount Eltondale left town this morning for Deane Hall, preparatory to the celebration of his Lordship's nuptials with its lovely and accomplished heiress."