The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 372: what you’re looking at

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LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE © 355 wherefore they should be otherwise. I have been paying a perfect round of visits, and I have letters for you, Hawkshaw, pressing you to do the same. My groom has ridden over to the Hall with them, and so you will have them on your return.”’ ‘“ Were I not going to Gainsborough on a little business,”’ ‘responded the squire, ‘* I would hasten home for the pleasure of reading them. But you can tell me from whom they come.”’ ‘Rather ask me,’ exclaimed Denison, with a smile, “from whom they do not come. Why, all our friends who are connected with the marquis have written. First of all, there is the marquis himself, who insists that you shall pay him a visit at Edenbridge, — where, by the bye, he dwells almost entirely; for, as you are aware, he has bestowed the Stamford Manor estate upon his son Francis and the beautiful Angela. I passed a couple of days at Stamford Manor, and was delighted with the perfect picture of domes- tic happiness which there prevails. You cannot fancy how young Paton has improved; he has quite a manly appear- ance, and has almost lost that boyish beauty which, so to speak, used to characterize him. He is now a handsome young man. His wife Angela is, if possible, more lovely than when we saw her led a bride to the altar and when I had the honour of giving her away. They have a beautiful boy, now three months old, of whom, as you may suppose, ' they are dotingly fond. Frank has written, inviting you to the manor.’’ ‘“ I shall assuredly accept the invitation,’ replied Hawk- shaw, “ and that of the marquis also. Whom else did you see? ”’ ‘ Count Christoval and his splendid countess. You know that his lordship has purchased a fine estate in the neigh- bourhood of Edenbridge, so that the countess sees her father, the Marquis of Eagledean, nearly every day. On my honour, if it were possible for her ladyship to look handsomer than she was wont to do, she does now; matrimony has improved her. She is a splendid woman.” “They have no children, I believe?’ remarked Hawk- shaw. “ None,” answered Denison; ‘“ but the count is not the less devoted to his wife on that score. They are all in all to CONNIEDOOKS (C(O)