Peg Woffington

  CHAPTER IX.

  As soon as Pomander had drawn his breath and realized this discovery, hedarted upstairs, and with all the demure calmness he could assume,told Mr. Vane, whom he met descending, that he was happy to find hisengagements permitted him to join the party in Bloomsbury Square. Hethen flung himself upon his servant's horse.

  Like Iago, he saw the indistinct outline of a glorious and a mostmalicious plot; it lay crude in his head and heart at present; thus muchhe saw clearly, that, if he could time Mrs. Vane's arrival so that sheshould pounce upon the Woffington at her husband's table, he might bepresent at and enjoy the public discomfiture of a man and woman whohad wounded his vanity. Bidding his servant make the best of his wayto Bloomsbury Square, Sir Charles galloped in that direction himself,intending first to inquire whether Mrs. Vane was arrived, and, if not,to ride toward Islington and meet her. His plan was frustrated by anaccident; galloping round a corner, his horse did not change his legcleverly, and, the pavement being also loose, slipped and fell on hisside, throwing his rider upon the _trottoir._ The horse got up andtrembled violently, but was unhurt. The rider lay motionless, exceptthat his legs quivered on the pavement. They took him up and conveyedhim into a druggist's shop, the master of which practiced chirurgery. Hehad to be sent for; and, before he could be found, Sir Charles recoveredhis reason, so much so, that when the chirurgeon approached with hisfleam to bleed him, according to the practice of the day, the patientdrew his sword, and assured the other he would let out every drop ofblood in his body if he touched him.

  He of the shorter but more lethal weapon hastily retreated. Sir Charlesflung a guinea on the counter, and mounting his horse rode him offrather faster than before this accident.

  There was a dead silence!

  "I believe that gentleman to be the Devil!" said a thoughtful bystander.The crowd (it was a century ago) assented _nem. con._

  Sir Charles, arrived in Bloomsbury Square, found that the whole partywas assembled. He therefore ordered his servant to parade before thedoor, and, if he saw Mrs. Vane's carriage enter the Square, to let himknow, if possible, before she should reach the house. On entering helearned that Mr. Vane and his guests were in the garden (a very fineone), and joined them there.

  Mrs. Vane demands another chapter, in which I will tell the reader whoshe was, and what excuse her husband had for his liaison with MargaretWoffington.