My Lady Ludlow Read Online Free PDF

should regret it. The Lathoms have held
Hathaway since Edward the First, and Mr. Lathom bears a good character,
although his temper is hasty—"
    "My lady! he has committed Job Gregson for stealing—a fault of which he
is as innocent as I—and all the evidence goes to prove it, now that the
case is brought before the Bench; only the Squires hang so together that
they can't be brought to see justice, and are all for sending Job to
gaol, out of compliment to Mr. Lathom, saying it his first committal, and
it won't be civil to tell him there is no evidence against his man. For
God's sake, my lady, speak to the gentlemen; they will attend to you,
while they only tell me to mind my own business."
    Now my lady was always inclined to stand by her order, and the Lathoms of
Hathaway Court were cousins to the Hanbury's. Besides, it was rather a
point of honour in those days to encourage a young magistrate, by passing
a pretty sharp sentence on his first committals; and Job Gregson was the
father of a girl who had been lately turned away from her place as
scullery-maid for sauciness to Mrs. Adams, her ladyship's own maid; and
Mr. Gray had not said a word of the reasons why he believed the man
innocent,—for he was in such a hurry, I believe he would have had my
lady drive off to the Henley Court-house then and there;—so there seemed
a good deal against the man, and nothing but Mr. Gray's bare word for
him; and my lady drew herself a little up, and said—
    "Mr. Gray! I do not see what reason either you or I have to interfere.
Mr. Harry Lathom is a sensible kind of young man, well capable of
ascertaining the truth without our help—"
    "But more evidence has come out since," broke in Mr. Gray. My lady went
a little stiffer, and spoke a little more coldly:—
    "I suppose this additional evidence is before the justices: men of good
family, and of honour and credit, well known in the county. They
naturally feel that the opinion of one of themselves must have more
weight than the words of a man like Job Gregson, who bears a very
indifferent character,—has been strongly suspected of poaching, coming
from no one knows where, squatting on Hareman's Common—which, by the
way, is extra-parochial, I believe; consequently you, as a clergyman, are
not responsible for what goes on there; and, although impolitic, there
might be some truth in what the magistrates said, in advising you to mind
your own business,"—said her ladyship, smiling,—"and they might be
tempted to bid me mind mine, if I interfered, Mr. Gray: might they not?"
    He looked extremely uncomfortable; half angry. Once or twice he began to
speak, but checked himself, as if his words would not have been wise or
prudent. At last he said—"It may seem presumptuous in me,—a stranger
of only a few weeks' standing—to set up my judgment as to men's
character against that of residents—" Lady Ludlow gave a little bow of
acquiescence, which was, I think, involuntary on her part, and which I
don't think he perceived,—"but I am convinced that the man is innocent
of this offence,—and besides, the justices themselves allege this
ridiculous custom of paying a compliment to a newly-appointed magistrate
as their only reason."
    That unlucky word "ridiculous!" It undid all the good his modest
beginning had done him with my lady. I knew as well as words could have
told me, that she was affronted at the expression being used by a man
inferior in rank to those whose actions he applied it to,—and truly, it
was a great want of tact, considering to whom he was speaking.
    Lady Ludlow spoke very gently and slowly; she always did so when she was
annoyed; it was a certain sign, the meaning of which we had all learnt.
    "I think, Mr. Gray, we will drop the subject. It is one on which we are
not likely to agree."
    Mr. Gray's ruddy colour grew purple and then faded away, and his face
became pale. I think both my lady and he had forgotten our presence; and
we were beginning to feel too awkward to