Francis Jacox. Clement's Trouble. The Archbishop's last Hunt. By William Jones Family Colours A Russian Foundling Hospital. From the German speare. By Francis Jacox OLD COURT. A NOVEL. BY WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH. Book the Third. CLARENCE CHETWYND. I. MR. LA HOGUE MAKES A DISCLOSURE TO CLARENCE. MANY hours did not elapse after Mr. La Hogue's arrival at Old Court, before he had visited almost every part of the premises, including the stables, and during his survey of the latter he satisfied Drax and his helpers that he was a very good judge of horseflesh. He also paid a visit to Mrs. Mansfield, who was by no means pleased with his free-and-easy manner, and quite shocked when he proposed to come and smoke a cigar in her room in the evening. However, she civilly declined the proposition, on the plea that she could not allow smoking, for the good old dame, though disliking his manner, was anxious not to give him offence. All the household were astonished by the gentleman's extraordinary assurance, and wondered what Sir Hugh would say to him when he came back. Poor old Jodrell began to be apprehensive that he should incur his master's displeasure by the step he had taken, but he comforted himself by reflecting that he had acted for the best. Besides being excessively familiar, Mr. La Hogue was very prying and inquisitive, and examined all the papers lying on the writing-table in Sir Hugh's study. When Pigot went up-stairs with him, he asked the young man to show him Sir Hugh's bedroom, and the door being open, he marched in and gazed around as curiously as if he were taking an inventory of the furniture. An old desk in one corner particularly attracted his attention. As will have been conjectured, Mr. La Hogue had a design upon Clarence—as we shall henceforth style that young gentleman, now that his right to the appellation is fully establishedbut he postponed the execution of the plan until after dinner. First satisfying himself that there was no one behind the large screen which was drawn round the table, he began: "I've a few words to say to you on a very serious subject-no All rights reserved. VOL. LXI. B less than your father's murder. That is a very mysterious affair. There's more in it than has yet come out. A very important person, to whom no suspicion attaches, was the main actor in the terrible business. The murderer, I say, was a person of importance-a near relative of the victim." "I can come to no other conclusion," rejoined Clarence, looking fixedly at his companion, "than that your dark suggestion refers to the master of this mansion." "Ah! you fancy so, eh?" observed La Hogue. "And therefore I dismiss it as improbable, almost impossible," pursued Clarence. "Sir Hugh Chetwynd can never be guilty of so terrible a crime." "You bring the accusation against him, not I," remarked La Hogue. "I never said he murdered his brother." "Not directly, but you implied it," said Clarence. "If you will draw such an inference from the few words I let fall, I cannot help it. You don't seem inclined to move in the matter, so we'll let the subject drop." "No, you have gone too far. It cannot be dropped now," cried Clarence, vehemently. "I do not believe Sir Hugh can be guilty; but if I did, nothing should prevent me from bringing him to justice." "Really, my dear boy, I must call you to order," remarked Mr. La Hogue. "Consider what you are saying, and where you are saying it. Recollect that Sir Hugh is your uncle-your nearest living relative-and that you are under his roof. Above all, recollect that your future prospects depend entirely on him." "But you have hinted-more than hinted-that he is my father's murderer," rejoined Clarence. "I repeat, that I do not believe the foul charge; but were I satisfied of its truth, I would not screen him from the consequences of his crime, were he thrice my uncle. My father must, and shall be avenged." "Very proper," said the imperturbable listener; "but I will show you the best way of avenging him. Listen to me, my dear boy, and listen patiently. It is useless to excite yourself, because excitement answers no purpose. I can assist you to obtain money from your uncle, but nothing more. Vengeance is against my principles. Of course it will be necessary to alarm Sir Hugh, but this you may leave to me. Have I not said enough? You must be monstrous slow if you don't comprehend me." "I see plainly what you mean," cried Clarence, scarcely able to conceal his disgust. "But what proofs have you of the truth of your assertion?" "Proofs are unnecessary. A few words from me will suffice to produce the desired effect on Sir Hugh, and compel him to agree to our terms." The young man shuddered, for he felt, from the expression of La |