ABSTRACT
After the cloth was removed, and a glass or two of excellent old Oporto had gone round, the conversation about Lord Ravensdale was renewed, and Edward expressed much anxiety on his account; particularly as he acknowledged to have heard from Lady Cecilia that the state of his mind was highly alarming. ‘Pray, Doctor Burton,’ added he, ‘can you give me any new information upon that subject?’ – ‘I can assure you,’ replied the doctor, ‘that Lord Ravensdale is at this time in perfect health, both of mind and body.’ – ‘God bless me!’ said Edward, ‘you surprise me. How is that possible, doctor? It was but within these few days I received a letter from Lady Cecilia, assuring me the very contrary, and that you had le Ravensdale-/house on some important business relative to his illness, of which, however, I am ignorant. How then can you tell me that his lordship is in perfect health?’ – ‘All this is very true,’ replied the doctor; ‘yet I still solemnly vouch for the fact. Lady Cecilia does not know Lord Ravensdale as well as I do – nay, she was not with him at the time she wrote that letter.’ – ‘My good doctor!’ said Ned, ‘if his lordship’s complaint has any thing of phrensy in it, I am afraid he has bit you in some of your communications together, and has infected you with his disease.’ – ‘No!’ said he; ‘I appeal to my venerable friends here, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, if I am not perfectly correct, for his lordship is in this house at this instant.’ – ‘Oh! where?’ said Edward, and he looked at the worthy curate for an answer. Doctor Burton rose, and with a benignant, but yet serious aspect, said, ‘ ou art the man.’ ‘Yes! truly,’ said Mr. Evans; ‘my Edward, your real/ name and designation is Edward Rivers, Earl of Ravensdale.’
