We must not pause upon the various interviews which succeeded, and were painful enough.  Wilton had little to tell that could give the Duke any comfort.  The determined adherence of Sir John Fenwick to his charge, the sort of indifference which the Earl of Byerdale displayed in regard to the prisoner’s situation, neglecting to see him, though repeatedly promising to do so, all served to depress his spirits day by day, and to render him altogether insensible to the voice of comfort.  Towards Wilton himself the Earl resumed a portion of his reserve and gravity; and though he still called him, “My dear Wilton,” and “My dear boy,” when he addressed him, he spoke to him very little upon any subject, except mere matters of business, and checked every approach to the topic on which Wilton would most willingly have entered.

On the seventh or eighth day of the Duke’s imprisonment, however, Lord Sherbrooke again appeared in town; but the Earl employed Wilton constantly, during the whole of that day; so much so, indeed, that his secretary could not help believing that there was effort apparent in it, in order to prevent his holding any private communication with his friend.  At length, however, he suffered him to return home, but not till nearly ten at night, by which time Lord Sherbrooke had left the house, to go to some great entertainment.

Scarcely had Wilton passed the door, when he found some one take hold of his arm, and to his surprise found the young nobleman by his side.

“I have been watching for you eagerly, Wilton,” he said, “for it seems to me, that the game is going against you, and I see the faces of the cards.”

“I am very anxious indeed about the Duke, if such be your meaning, Sherbrooke,” replied Wilton.

“And I am so also,” answered Lord Sherbrooke.  “What my father intends, I do not well see; but I should think, that to make the poor man lose his head on Tower-hill would be somewhat too severe a punishment, too bitter a revenge, for Lady Laura refusing to wed so worshipful a person as I am.”

“I hope and trust,” replied Wilton, “that there is no chance of such a consummation.”

“On my word, I do not know,” replied Lord Sherbrooke.  “My father, when he is hungry for anything, has a great appetite; I don’t think the Duke’s head would much more than dine him.  However, take my advice; depend not upon him in the least; go to the Duke of Shrewsbury at once, if he be in town, and if not, to Vernon.  Try to interest them in favour of the Duke; see what you can allege in his favour.  The King has just returned from Holland, you know, and any application made to him now may perhaps be received graciously.  Have you anything that you can state in the Duke’s favour?”