[[2]] Amongst which we are happy to say (on the authority of a Welch friend) was the first volume of Walladmor, a novel, 2 vols. post 8vo.; the second being not then finished.
[CHAPTER XVII.]
Aumerle. --Give me leave that I may turn the key, That no man
enter till my tale be done.
Boling. Have thy desire.
York (without). My liege, beware: look to thyself:
Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there.
Aum. Stay thy revengeful hand;
Thou hast no cause to fear.--Richard II. Act. V.
Meantime Miss Walladmor exerted herself as earnestly for the secret liberation of the prisoner as due regard to concealment would allow. Her first application was made to Sir Charles Davenant: much would depend, as she was well aware, on the dispositions of that officer towards Captain Nicholas; and in the present case circumstances well known to both forbade her relying with too much hope upon the natural generosity of his disposition. Something however must be risked; and she wrote a note to him requesting that he would meet her in the library.
Sir Charles probably anticipated the subject of Miss Walladmor's communication: for, though he hastened to know her commands, the expression of his countenance showed none of that alacrity which might naturally have been looked for in a military man not much beyond thirty on receiving a summons to a private interview with the beautiful heiress of Walladmor.
On entering the room he bowed, but without his usual freedom of manner; and something like an air of chagrin was visible, as he begged to know upon what subject he had been fortunate enough to be honored with Miss Walladmor's commands. He spoke with extreme gravity; and Miss Walladmor looked up to him in vain for any signs of encouragement. She trembled: but not, as it seemed, from any feminine embarrassments: grief and anxiety had quelled all lighter agitations; and she trembled only with the anguish of suspense.
"Sir Charles," she said at length, "there was a time when you would not have refused me any request which it was in your power to grant."