These
schemes have been devised by avarice originally, but they are now
followed close by vindictive ambition, animated, I think, by the
absolute and concentrated spirit of malice; for the Lord Dalgarno--"
"Here, Monna Paula--Monna Paula!" exclaimed the Lady Hermione,
interrupting her young friend's narrative. "She hears me not," she
answered, rising and going out, "I must seek her--I will return
instantly." She returned accordingly very soon after. "You mentioned a
name which I thought was familiar to me," she said; "but Monna Paula
has put me right. I know nothing of your lord--how was it you named
him?"
"Lord Dalgarno," said Margaret;--"the wickedest man who lives. Under
pretence of friendship, he introduced the Lord Glenvarloch to a
gambling-house with the purpose of engaging him in deep play; but he
with whom the perfidious traitor had to deal, was too virtuous,
moderate, and cautious, to be caught in a snare so open. What did they
next, but turn his own moderation against him, and persuade others
that--because he would not become the prey of wolves, he herded with
them for a share of their booty! And, while this base Lord Dalgarno
was thus undermining his unsuspecting countryman, he took every
measure to keep him surrounded by creatures of his own, to prevent him
from attending Court, and mixing with those of his proper rank. Since
the Gunpowder Treason, there never was a conspiracy more deeply laid,
more basely and more deliberately pursued.
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