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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 186? edition. Excerpt:...of Lady de Laurie had thrown upon it, remained perfectly inexplicable. But Beaumont left him not long in doubt, for, in reply to his question, he gave him his hand with a smile that spoke such hilarity of spirit as could not well exist in conjunction with anything disagreeable, and replied,--" No! not exactly disagreeable, dear Julian, but agitating, if you will, and that to a degree that I did not think any event within the reach of Fate could ever be to me again." Julian looked at him with the inquiring glance of anxious affection, but said nothing. " My dearest friend!" cried Beaumont, " it is kind not to question me, for not even to you could I utter one word of explanation till I knew, with a little more certainty still than I do at present, that one hateful hideous circumstance, which has made the blight and bane of my existence, was a mere bugbear. Not that I have any doubt as to the utter falsehood of the frightful fact that I had believed. On that point, thank heaven! no doubt can ever hang again. Yet how I can ever But this is no time, no place for me to prove how impossible it is that I should have any reserve with you, except where the secrets of another are concerned. Have patience with me, Oglevie, and I will let you sit in judgment on me, not without some hope that I may find you more leni-est towards m.e than I shall ever be to myself." All this was exceedingly mysterious, and very completely did Julian Oglevie look mystified thereby. He remained silent for half a moment, and then said,--" You cannot return with me to Dover to-day, Beaumont? Shall I then come back for you to-morrow?" " No, my dear kind friend, nol All I will ask you to do for me is to give this note to Wigton." Julian received the note, placed it in his little...