human
What sort of an icicle is he?
gpt
He isn't an icicle at all, Aunt, but a very good fellow and right pleasant company.
human
Prithee bring him to see us. Where lodgeth he?--is he a London man?
gpt
He is a Worcestershire gentleman, on a visit hither.
human
Pass him. Who else?
gpt
Well--a man named Darcy.
human
A man, and _not_ a gentleman? Whence comes he?
gpt
I don't know. Scarcely a gentleman, seeing he deals in horses.
human
Horses are good fellows enough, mostly: but folks who deal in horses are apt to be worser,--why, can I never tell. Is the horse-dealer pleasant company belike?
gpt
Not so much to my liking as Mr Winter.
human
I'm fain to hear it. Who else?
gpt
There is a Mr Percy, kin to my Lord Northumberland.
human
Lo, you now, we are in select society!
gpt
Aubrey, is he a true Protestant? She knew that Lord Northumberland was reckoned
human
I really don't know, Aunt, replied Aubrey, to whom the idea had never before occurred.
gpt
I never heard him say aught whence I could guess it. He is a very agreeable man.
human
The more agreeable, maybe, the more dangerous. My boy, do have a care! `He that is not with Me is against Me.'
gpt
Oh, he's all right, I am sure,
human
You seem sure on small grounds, said Aunt Temperance.
gpt
Well, have we made an end?--is he the last?
human
No, there is one other--Mr Catesby.
gpt
Catesby?--a Catesby of Ashby Ledgers?
human
I have not heard, further than that his home is in Northamptonshire, and his mother the Lady Anne Catesby.
gpt
I think it is. They are a Popish family, or were, not many years ago. Aubrey, come here.
human
My boy! she said,
gpt
I charge thee on my benison, and by the dear memory of him from whom thou hast thy name, that thou endeavour thyself to thine utmost to discover whether these men be Papists or no. Ask not of themselves--they may deceive thee; and a Papist oft counts deceit no wrong when it is done in the interests of his Church. Make my compliments to my cousin, my Lady Oxford, and give her the names of these gentlemen, and where they lodge; saying also that I do most earnestly beseech that she will make inquiry by her chaplain, and give me to know, how they stand concerned in this matter. Aubrey, you know not the danger of such friendship: I do. Obey me, at your peril.