Page:Paul Clifford Vol 1.djvu/273

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PAUL CLIFFORD.
243

unlike the old! which rather puzzles me; for I think it my duty, d'ye see, Lucy, always to vote for his Majesty's Government; especially seeing that old Hugo Brandon had a hand in detecting the Gunpowder plot; and it is a little odd, at least, at first, to think that good now, which one has always before been thinking abominable) Lord Lieutenant of the county."

"Lord Mauleverer our Lord Lieutenant?"

"Yes, child; and since his Lordship is such a friend of my brother's, I should think, considering especially what an old family in the county we are,—not that I wish to intrude myself where I am not thought as fine as the rest,—that he would be more attentive to us than Lord —— was: But that, my dear Lucy, puts me in mind of Pillum, and so, perhaps, you would like to walk to the Parson's, as it is a fine evening. John shall come for you at nine o'clock with—(the moon is not up then)—the lantern."

Leaning on his daughter's willing arm, the good old man then rose and walked homeward; and so soon as she had wheeled round his easy-chair, placed the backgammon-board on the table, and