Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII. THE SILVER DRAGON. As Alfred Dacre placed himself in his brougham he smiled. As they turned the corner at the gate, he looked back at Guildford House--at the drawing-room window, from which the light was gleaming-- smiling still, but with a shrewd, odd smile. The carriage whirled on, and he laughed merrily--Vive la bagatelle! Then he grew grave, very grave--sinking down from level to level, till he had reached that point which is deep thought. As we know, his hands were pretty full, and his brain teeming with all kinds of little plans. When Charles Mannering reached his chambers that night, he found, among more serious letters, a little note in his letter-box, which could not have been dropped there many minutes. It was signed "Alfred Dacre," and said: -- "my Dear Mr. Mannering, --I should so much wish that we knew one another better. There are things on which your advice, by-and-by, would be more useful to me than you can imagine. See what selfish creatures we are! It is this instinct that prompts me to violate forms, and venture to ask you to dine with me to-morrow. Pray do come. You mentioned accidentally this evening that you had no particular engagement for to-morrow except to see the billiard match played. That wont be till eleven. I enclose a note for your friend--Captain Transom, I think--who, you mentioned, is to accompany you. Pray persuade him to come with you first to me. I have written to order dinner at such a quaint comfortable old inn, called the Silver Dragon, just three miles out of town, on the old road to . All the livery-stable people know it. It is quite an adventure dining there, it is so quaint and pretty. You will be charmed with it. I have told the people to expect us at six, but don't hesitate to...
