THE SECRETARY; A Lovel, IN THREE VOLUMES. BY LIEUT.-COLONEL HORT, AUTHOR OF "THE HORSE GUARDS," "THE WHITE CHARGER," " PENELOPE WEDGEBONE," &c. "None are more confident than those who are on the point of failing." Much ado about Nothing. VOL. I. LONDON: J. & D. A. DARLING, 126, BISHOPSGATE STREET. 1850. THE SECRETARY. CHAPTER I. Alas, poor Yorick ! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, and of most Where be your jibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table in a roar? Hamlet. It was a cold dreary night, in the latter end of November; the wind and sleet rattled, at short intervals, sharply against the windows of the dismal-looking houses; and the water, rushing impetuously down the channels on either side the streets, easily overcame all obstacles placed to impede its progress. The faint glimmer from the lamps on Westminster-Bridge flickered feebly in the |