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diff --git a/40690-8.txt b/40690-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c0cd2ad..0000000 --- a/40690-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8758 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Roger Kyffin's Ward, by W.H.G. Kingston - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Roger Kyffin's Ward - -Author: W.H.G. Kingston - -Release Date: September 6, 2012 [EBook #40690] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROGER KYFFIN'S WARD *** - - - - -Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England - - - - -Roger Kyffin's Ward, by WHG Kingston. - -________________________________________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -________________________________________________________________________ -ROGER KYFFIN'S WARD, BY WHG KINGSTON. - -CHAPTER ONE. - -A PANIC IN THE CITY. - -London was in commotion. On a certain afternoon in the early part of -the year 1797, vast numbers of persons of all ranks of society, wealthy -merchants, sober shopkeepers, eager barristers, country squires, men of -pleasure, dandies, and beaus, and many others of even more doubtful -position, might have been seen hurrying up through lanes and alleys -towards the chief centre of British commerce--the Bank of England, that -mighty heart, in and out of which the golden stream flows to and fro -along its numberless arteries. Numerous carriages, also, some with -coronets on their panels, and powdered footmen behind, rolled up from -Cheapside. Among their occupants were ministers of state, foreign -ambassadors, earls and barons of the realm, members of parliament, -wealthy country gentlemen, and other persons of distinction. While in -not a few were widows and spinster ladies, dowager duchesses and maids -of honour, and other dames with money in the funds. On the countenances -of the larger portion of the moving throng might be traced a word of -uncomfortable import--"Panic." - -It was an eventful period. Seldom during that or the present century -have English patriots had greater cause for anxiety. Never, certainly, -from the day of the explosion of the South Sea Bubble up to that period, -had the mercantile atmosphere been more agitated. The larger portion of -the motley crowd turned on one side to the Bank of England, where the -ladies, descending from their carriages, pressed eagerly forward amidst -the people on foot, one behind the other, to reach the counters. -Another portion entered the Royal Exchange, while a considerable number -of the carriages proceeded along Cornhill. - -The appearance of the surrounding edifices was, however, different from -that of the present day. The old Mansion House was there, and the new -Bank of England had been erected, but all else has been altered. The -then existing Royal Exchange was greatly inferior to the fine structure -at present to be seen between the Mansion House and the Bank. It stood -in a confined space, surrounded by tall blocks of buildings, dark and -dingy, though not altogether unpicturesque. Whatever were its defects, -it served its purpose, and would have been serving it still, probably, -had it not been burnt down. - -Numerous excited groups of men now filled the greater part of the -interior area; some were bending eagerly forward, either more forcibly -to express an opinion, or to hear what was said by the speaker on the -opposite side of the circle. Others were whispering into their -neighbours' ears, with hands lifted up, listening attentively to the -remarks bestowed upon them, while others were hurrying to and fro -gathering the opinion of their acquaintances, and then quickly again -putting it forth as their own, or hastening away to act on the -information they had received. - -"Terrible news! The country will be ruined to a certainty! The French -will be here within a week! Fearful disaster! The fleet has mutinied! -The army will follow their example! Ireland is in open rebellion! The -bank is drained of specie! Failures in every direction! The funds at -fifty-seven!" - -Such were some of the remarks flying about, and which formed the subject -matter of the addresses delivered by the various speakers. Many persons -then collected were sober-minded citizens, merchants of good repute, -trading with the West Indian Sugar Islands, Africa, the Colonies of -North America, or the Baltic, East India directors, or others, whose -transactions compelled them to assemble, for the negotiation of their -bills on 'change. - -A considerable number, however, of those who came into the city from the -West End did not stop at the Exchange, but continued their course a -short distance farther, along Cornhill, where turning on one side they -found themselves in the precincts of Change Alley. An old writer -describes that region: "The limits are easily surrounded in a minute and -a half. Step out of Jonathan's into the alley, turn your face due east, -move on a few paces to Garraway's. From thence go out at the other -door, and go on still east, into Birchin Lane, and then halting at the -Sword-blade bank, and facing the north, you will enter Cornhill, and -visit two or three petty provinces there to the west, and thus having -boxed your compass, and sailed round the stock-jobbing globe, you turn -into Jonathan's again." - -In Jonathan's well-known coffee-house, and in its immediate -neighbourhood, was assembled a large number of persons, varying in rank -and appearance far more than those who were inside the Exchange. To -this point the coroneted carriages had been directing their course. The -occupants of some had got out and entered the coffee-house. Others -remained with their brokers at the door, eager to gain certain -intelligence, which was to raise or depress the market. Here too were -to be seen persons in Eastern costume, and others in English dress, both -however with the unmistakable features of the Jew. There were courtiers -and gentlemen from the fashionable parts of the metropolis, in silk -stockings and diamond-buckled shoes, with powdered wigs, frilled shirts, -and swords by their sides, or quakers in broad-brimmed hats and garments -of sombre hue, such as were worn by our puritan ancestors of the -previous century. Here too were portly citizens with gold-headed canes -and well-brushed beavers, their countenances anxious, but honest and -straightforward, though many other persons were there, some in -shabby-genteel costume, others in threadbare and almost ragged coats, -and again, many whose sharp eager eyes and pale features showed that -they had been long accustomed to the transactions of the place. The two -great parties in the State might in most cases have been distinguished -by the difference of their costume. The Tories, the supporters of the -war, determined foes of the men then in power in France, generally -retained the gay and handsome costume of their fathers, while the Whigs -and Jacobinical party affected a republican simplicity, and dressed in -straight-cut coats and low-crowned hats, which had been introduced in -France. - -We shall have to return to Jonathan's by-and-bye, and will in the -meantime go back to the Royal Exchange. Among those who were making -their way towards it from the lanes which led up from the banks of the -river was a person not unworthy of notice. He was a man past the -meridian of life, of tall and commanding figure. The leather-like skin -of his colourless face, though free from spot or blemish, was slightly -wrinkled, and his somewhat massive features wore a calm and unmoved -expression, which might have surprised those who could have defined the -feelings agitating his bosom. No wonder that his mind was troubled. -Those were anxious times for men engaged even in very limited -transactions. Stephen Coppinger's were extensive and complex. There -was scarcely a pie baked in those days in which he had not a finger. He -walked at a dignified pace, with a smile on his lips, and his bright -eyes calm, though watchful. His dark-coloured suit of fine cloth with -brass buttons was carefully brushed, a small quantity of powder only -shaken on his hair, which was fastened behind in a long queue, resting -on his collar. The folds of his white neck-cloth, and the frill of fine -lace which appeared beneath his waistcoat, were scrupulously clean and -well arranged. Silk stockings with knee breeches, and shoes with steel -buttons, encased his legs and feet. In his hand he carried a thick -gold-headed walking-stick, though scarcely requiring it to support his -steps, while a plain cocked hat, and a spencer, for the weather was -cold, completed his costume. His step was firm, his head erect, as he -walked along with a dignified air, bowing to one acquaintance, nodding -to another, and returning with condescension the salutations of his -inferiors. He observed many other persons proceeding in the same -direction, several of whom he knew, the countenances of not a few -wearing that expression of anxiety which he took care his own should not -exhibit. Several of them did not notice him, as, lost in thought, with -their heads cast down, they picked their way over the uneven pavement. - -Stephen Coppinger had scarcely reached his accustomed "walk" in the -Exchange, when his acquaintance, Alderman Bycroft, bustled up to him. - -"Well, friend Coppinger, you look as calm as if nothing had happened!" -exclaimed the alderman; "have you not heard the news?" - -"Which news?" asked the merchant in a quiet voice, without the slightest -change of countenance; "so many reports are flying about that I believe -none of them." - -"You could not have heard the news, or you would not look so abominably -unconcerned," exclaimed the alderman, who was a somewhat fussy excitable -gentleman. "Why, the news is positively fearful! A mutiny has broken -out on board the channel fleet at Spithead! They have murdered Lord -Bridport and most of their officers, and threatened, if they have not -everything their own way, to carry the ships over to the French. The -enemy's fleets are mustering in great force, and may be across the -Channel, for what we can tell, at this moment. The Irish are in -rebellion, and are certain to join them and cut all our throats." - -"Terrible, if true," answered Mr. Coppinger, with a smile, which he -could afford to bestow on his excitable friend; "but I think, my dear -alderman, I can correct you. The crews of the Channel fleet have -undoubtedly refused to proceed to sea unless their very reasonable -demands are agreed to, and I know for certain that they have treated the -admiral and their officers with every respect. They will, I have no -fear, therefore, when their petition is granted, return to their duty. -If the French come we will give them a warm reception. In the meantime, -however, I acknowledge we are likely to suffer by having our merchantmen -exposed to the depredations of the enemy's ships, and this is about the -worst danger I apprehend." - -"You take things too calmly, my friend!" exclaimed the alderman. -"Suppose the fleet refuses to obey orders, what are we to do? There's -the question. I am of opinion that we should call out the train-bands, -the volunteers, and the militia, and man every vessel in the Thames, and -sail down and capture the mutineers." - -"I suspect, my friend, that your proposed flotilla would very soon be -sent to the right-about, if not to the bottom. It would be wiser to -inquire into the complaints of the seamen, and to redress their -grievances. Their pay was small enough at first during Charles the -Second's reign, and since then all necessary articles of subsistence -have advanced fully fifty per cent, and all the men require is, that -their wages may be proportionably increased. They ask also that the -naval pensions may be augmented, as have those of Chelsea, to 13 pounds -a year. The Greenwich pensions still remain at 7 pounds. They also beg -that while in harbour they may have more liberty to go on shore, and -that when seamen are wounded they may receive their pay till cured or -discharged. Their other requests are really as moderate, and though I, -for one, would never countenance mutiny, from my heart I believe that -their demands are just." - -"Can't see that," answered the alderman. "In my opinion the country is -going to rack and ruin. What are we to do without gold? Then we are to -have more loans. We have already lent Prussia, Sardinia, and the -Emperor of Austria some seven or eight millions, and are now going to -make a further loan to Portugal, and for all I know to the contrary we -shall soon be subsidising all the rest of Europe." - -"If this war with France is to continue, I, for my part, shall be glad -if we have so many friends on our side," observed Mr. Coppinger, whose -great object at the moment was to tranquillise the minds of his City -friends. "We are not likely to pay money away without getting something -for it." - -"Not so sure of that," replied the alderman; "John Bull is apt to throw -his cash away with his eyes shut, and that is what we have been doing -for some time past. Had Lord Malmesbury been successful in his -negotiation for peace, things might have been different, but what can be -worse with consols down to fifty-seven, a fearful run on the Bank of -England, and now a suspension of payment in specie altogether, with this -dangerous mutiny of the fleet as a climax! Then look at Ireland--half -the country in a state of rebellion; the people shrieking out for the -assistance of the French, and cutting each other's throats in the -meantime. Then these Jacobin clubs in London and throughout all our -large towns, doing their utmost to bring about a republic in England. -If they could imitate the French and cut off our king's head, they would -do it. And as to the army, I am not certain that we can put confidence -in it. Ah! my dear sir, the sun of England's glory has set; that is my -opinion. I may be wrong--I hope so--but that is my opinion." - -"You take too gloomy a view of the state of affairs, alderman," said Mr. -Coppinger. "Things are very bad, I'll own, but they may improve. Lord -Duncan's late victory should give us confidence. The fate of the French -who landed in Pembrokeshire the other day, shows that even though our -enemies may set foot on our shores, they may not gain much by their -impudence. No fear about our army, that is staunch, and the navy will -soon return to its duty, and then Old England will be well able to hold -her own against all her enemies." - -Stephen Coppinger was anxious to get rid of the alderman without -rudeness, and that worthy finding he could not frighten his friend, soon -bustled off to communicate his alarm to some more excitable listener. - -The merchant, however, was very far from feeling the tranquillity he -exhibited. He well knew the desperate state of affairs, but at the same -time it was important that the public mind should be tranquillised. He -had also several bills to negotiate and other business to transact, -which required his own mind to be peculiarly calm and collected. Many -other persons addressed him, most of them as agitated as Alderman -Bycroft. He had to get rid of them one after the other, and having -despatched his own business, maintaining his usual composed manner, he -quitted the Exchange. - -He proceeded along Cornhill to the narrow passage which led into Change -Alley, and with deliberate steps entered Jonathan's. Every room in that -once celebrated coffee-house was full. Some persons were transacting -private business in the smaller rooms, while in the larger, stood eager -groups of brokers and dealers, with their books in their hands, noting -the various transactions in which they were engaged. - -The news flying about had caused the funds to fall yet lower than on the -previous day, and brokers were hurrying to and fro, receiving orders -from their various constituents, some to buy, others to sell forthwith. -Stephen Coppinger gave certain directions to his broker in a subdued -tone. It was even with greater difficulty than in the morning that he -could command his voice, then bowing to his acquaintance as he passed, -he took his way back to Idol Lane. - -He preserved his calm and dignified air, during his walk to his -counting-house. Passing through the public office to his private room, -he closed the door, and throwing himself back into his arm-chair, -pressed his hands on his brow for some minutes, lost in thought. At -length turning round towards his large black writing-table, and -referring to some letters and other papers, he seized a pen which he -mechanically mended, almost in so doing cutting through his thumb nail, -and made some rapid calculations. They were not apparently -satisfactory. He rang sharply a hand-bell by his side. Scarcely had -the silvery sounds died away when the heavy door of the oak-panelled -room slowly opened, and a clerk, with a ponderous volume under his arm, -entered. He was dressed as became the managing clerk of a large -establishment, with great neatness and precision, his hair being -carefully powdered, though his side curls were somewhat smaller than -those of his employer. His complexion was clear, with a good colour on -his cheeks, which betokened sound health, while his countenance wore a -peculiarly calm expression, calculated to gain the confidence of those -with whom he had dealings. Roger Kyffin was highly esteemed by his -principal as well as by all his subordinates. His word was, in truth, -as good as Stephen Coppinger's bond. What Roger Kyffin said Stephen -Coppinger would do, was done. On the day and hour Roger Kyffin promised -that cash should be paid, it was paid without fail. Stephen Coppinger -had no partner. He scorned to throw responsibility on an unknown -company, while, with only one exception, to no other breast than his own -would he confide the secrets of his transactions. That exception was -the breast of Roger Kyffin. Roger Kyffin placed the open folio before -his principal, and produced a paper with the remarks he had made -respecting certain entries. - -"Bad!" observed Stephen Coppinger, as he ran his eye over the book and -paper; "but see, these letters bring worse news. The `Belmont Castle' -has been taken by the enemy. The `Tiger' has foundered during a -hurricane in the West Indies. Jecks Tarbett and Simmons have failed; -their debt is a large one. Hunter and Dove's affairs are in an -unsatisfactory condition. I don't like Joseph Hudson's proceedings in -Change Alley; he yesterday begged that I would renew his bill. In -truth, Roger Kyffin, unless matters improve..." A groan escaped from -Stephen Coppinger's bosom. - -"The amount you require must be raised," observed Roger Kyffin, taking -half a turn across the room. "Leave that to me. You have so often -aided friends in need, that I anticipate no difficulty in obtaining -help." - -"It will be from no want of exertion on your part if you fail," said -Stephen Coppinger, brightening up slightly. - -"Keep up your spirits, sir," said Roger Kyffin. "The credit of your -firm will not suffer, depend on that. I will now set out and see what -can be done. I hope to bring satisfactory intelligence before evening." - -Saying this, Roger Kyffin left the room, carefully closing the door -behind him. While putting on his spencer and hat, he intimated to his -principal subordinate, Mr. Silas Sleech, that he should probably be -absent for some hours. Mr. Sleech glanced after him with a pair of -meaningless eyes, set in an immovable countenance, and saying, "Oh, very -well," went on with his work. - -More respecting Mr. Silas Sleech and his doings may possibly be -mentioned. - -CHAPTER TWO. - -IN WHICH SEVERAL PERSONAGES ARE INTRODUCED. - -Roger Kyffin took his way westward. As soon as he had got out of the -crowded thoroughfares, he called a coach, for in those days walking in -London was a more fatiguing operation than at present. The progress of -the vehicle, however, in which he took his seat was not very rapid. It -was a large and lumbering affair, drawn by a pair of broken-down hacks, -the asthmatic cough of one keeping in countenance the shattered knees of -the other. At length he reached the door of a substantial mansion in -the middle of Clifford Street. The bell was answered by a servant in -sober livery. - -"Is Mr. Thornborough at home?" he asked, at the same time presenting a -card with his name in a bold hand written on it. The servant was absent -but a short time, when he returned, saying that his master would be glad -to see Mr. Roger Kyffin. The visitor was shown into a handsome parlour, -where, seated before a fire with his buckled shoes on a footstool, was a -venerable-looking gentleman, with his silvery locks slightly powdered -hanging down over his shoulders. A richly-embroidered waistcoat, a -plum-coloured coat with mother-of-pearl buttons, knee breeches, and -black silk stockings with clocks, completed his costume. By his side -sat a lady dressed in rich garments, though of somewhat sombre hue. - -The white curls which appeared under her high cap showed that she was -advanced in life, and the pleasant smile on her comely features -betokened a kind and genial disposition. She rose from her seat, and -kindly welcomed Roger Kyffin, directing the servant to place a chair for -him before the fire. The old gentleman shook his hand, but pleaded age -as an excuse for not rising. - -"You have given us but little of your company for many a day, Mr. -Kyffin," said the lady in a kind tone. "We thought you must have left -London altogether." - -"No, Mrs. Barbara, I have scarcely been beyond the sound of Bow Bells; -but I must plead business as an excuse for my negligence. These are -anxious times, and mercantile men must needs pay more than double -attention to their affairs." - -"If they demand more time, undoubtedly we should give it; if not, we are -robbing other matters of their due attention," observed Mr. -Thornborough. - -"I agree with you, sir," answered Mr. Kyffin; "I must confess, indeed, -that a matter of business of great importance to a friend brought me to -the west. I would ask you to allow me a few minutes that I may explain -the matter to you clearly." - -"Speak on, friend, I keep no secrets from Barbara, and if she does not -know all my affairs, it is through no wish on my part to hide them from -her. My sister is a discreet woman, Mr. Kyffin, and that's more perhaps -than can be said of all her sex." - -Mr. Kyffin bowed his acquiescence in this opinion. He, then turning to -the old gentleman, explained clearly the difficulties which surrounded -his friend and principal, Mr. Stephen Coppinger. Mr. Thornborough -uttered two or three exclamations as Roger Kyffin went on in his -account. - -"I thought that my friend Stephen had been a more prudent man," he -observed. "How could he enter into such a speculation? How could he -trust such people as Hunter and Dove? Why, Roger Kyffin, you yourself -should have been better informed about them. However, if we were only -to undertake to assist the wise and prudent we might keep our money -chests locked and our pockets buttoned up. Stephen Coppinger is an -honest man, and has shown himself a kind and generous one, albeit he -might not always have exhibited as much prudence, as was desirable. The -amount you mention shall, however, be at his disposal. We must not let -a breath of suspicion rest on his name. I have a regard for him, and -his six fair daughters, and it would be cruel to allow the maidens to go -out into the world without sufficient dowers or means of maintenance, -whereas if Stephen Coppinger tides over the present crisis, he may leave -them all well off." - -"That's right, that's right," said Mrs. Barbara, looking approvingly at -her brother. "He gives good advice, and acts it, too, eh, Mr. Kyffin? -And now my brother has had his say I must have mine. What about the -negro slave trade? We have not seen Mr. Wilberforce nor any of his -friends for several weeks, and my brother cannot help on the cause as he -used to do." - -"It is a good cause, that will ultimately be successful," answered Roger -Kyffin; "but, my dear Mrs. Barbara, like other good causes, we may have -a long fight for it before we gain the day. Just now men's minds are so -engaged with our national affairs that the poor blacks are very little -thought of." - -"Too true," answered Mistress Barbara; "I wish, however, that Mr. -Wilberforce would call here. I want to tell him how delighted I am with -his new book, which I got a few days ago--his `Practical View of -Christianity.' It will open the eyes, I hope, of some of the upper -classes, to the hollow and unsatisfying nature of the forms to which -they cling. I think, and my brother agrees with me, it's one of the -finest books on theology that has ever been written; that is to say, it -is more likely to bring people to a knowledge of the truth than all the -works of the greatest divines of the past and present age. Get the book -and judge for yourself." - -Mr. Kyffin promised to do so, and after some further conversation, he -rose to take his departure. Mrs. Barbara did not fail to press him to -come again as soon as his occupations would allow. - -"The money shall be ready for you before noon to-morrow," said Mr. -Thornborough, shaking his hand. Roger Kyffin hastened back to Idol -Lane. Mr. Coppinger had not risen from his arm-chair since he quitted -the house. The belief that his liabilities would be met without further -difficulty, greatly relieved the merchant's mind, and he thanked Roger -Kyffin again and again for the important assistance afforded him. - -"Say not a word about it," answered the clerk; "if I have been useful to -you, it was my duty. You found me in distress, and I shall never be -able to repay the long-standing debt I owe you. Still I wish to place -myself under a further obligation. I would rather have deferred -speaking on the matter, but it will allow of no delay. I have to plead -for a friend, ay, more than a friend--that unhappy young man--your -nephew. You are mistaken as to his character. However appearances are -against him. I am certain that Harry Tryon is not guilty of the crime -imputed to him. Some day I shall be able to unravel the mystery. In -the meantime I am ready to answer for his conduct, if you will reinstate -him in the position which he so unwisely left. He has no natural love -for business, I grant, but he is high-spirited and excessively -sensitive, and I am therefore sure that he will not rest satisfied -unless he is restored to his former position, and enabled to establish -his innocence." - -"You press me hard, Kyffin," answered Mr. Coppinger. "Besides the fact -that the lad is my great-nephew, although his grandmother and I have -kept up very little intercourse for years, I have no prejudice against -him, and I consider that I acted leniently in not sending after him, and -compelling him to discover the authors of the fraud committed against my -house. Even should he not be guilty, he must know who are guilty." - -"Granted, sir, and I speak it with all respect," said Roger Kyffin, "but -if he is innocent, and that he is I am ready to stake my existence, he -would, had you examined him, have had an opportunity of vindicating -himself. I know not now what has become of the lad, and I dread that he -may be driven into some desperate course. I am, however, using every -means to discover him, and I should be thankful if I could send him word -that you are ready to look into his case." - -"No, no, Kyffin, I am resolved to wash my hands of the lad and his -affairs, and I would advise you to do the same," replied Mr. Coppinger. -"I find that he got into bad company, and was led into all sorts of -extravagances, which of course would have made him try to supply himself -with money. Had he been steady and industrious, I should have been less -willing to believe him guilty." - -An expression of pain and sorrow passed over Roger Kyffin's countenance -when he heard these remarks. - -"It is too true, I am afraid, that the lad was drawn into bad company, -and I must confess that appearances are against him," he answered. "I -judge him, knowing his right principles, and, though in a certain sense, -he wants firmness of character, I am sure that nothing would induce, him -to commit the act of which he is suspected. I might tell you of many -kind and generous things he has done. Since he has grown up he has -shown himself to be a brave, high-minded young man." - -"I do not doubt his bravery or his generosity," answered Mr. Coppinger; -"both are compatible with extravagance and dissipated conduct. But I am -not prejudiced against the lad, and I would rather take your opinion of -him than trust to my own. I would wish you, therefore, to follow your -own course in this matter. If you think fit, get the lad up here. We -will hear what he has to say for himself, and carefully go into his -case. I wish that we had done so at first instead of letting him escape -without further investigation." - -"Thank you, sir, thank you, Mr. Coppinger; that is all I require," -exclaimed Roger Kyffin. "Where to find the lad, however, is the -difficulty. He has gone through numerous adventures and dangers, and -has been mercifully preserved. I had, indeed, given him up as lost, but -I received a letter from him the other day, though, unfortunately, he -neglected to date it. He spoke of others which he had written, but -which I have not received. All I can hope now is that he will write -again and let me know where he is to be found. Of one thing I am -certain, that when he is found he will be well able to vindicate his -character." - - -Not till a late hour was the counting-house in Idol Lane closed that -day. Further news of importance might arrive, and Stephen Coppinger was -unwilling to risk not being present to receive it. A link boy was in -waiting to light him to his handsome mansion in Broad Street. He had -not yet retired, as was his custom later in the year, to his rural villa -at Twickenham. - -Clerks mostly lived in the city. Few, at that time, could enjoy a -residence in the suburbs. Roger Kyffin, however, had a snug little -abode of his own at Hampstead, from and to which he was accustomed to -walk every day. In the winter season, however, when it was dark, -several friends who lived in the same locality were in the habit of -waiting for each other in order to afford mutual protection against -footpads and highwaymen, to whose attacks single pedestrians were -greatly exposed. At one time, indeed, they were accompanied by a -regular guard of armed men, so audacious had become the banditti of -London. - -Roger Kyffin felt more than an ordinary interest in Mr. Coppinger's -great-nephew--Harry Tryon--who has been spoken of. He loved him, in -truth, as much as if he had been his own son. - -When Roger Kyffin was a young man full of ardent aspirations, with no -small amount of ambition, too, he became acquainted with a beautiful -girl. He loved her, and the more he saw of her, the stronger grew his -attachment. He had been trained for mercantile business, and had -already attained a good situation in a counting-house. He had thus -every reason to believe, that by perseverance and steadiness, he should -be able to realise a competency. He hoped, indeed, to do more than -this, and that wealth and honours such as others in his position had -attained, he might be destined to enjoy. Fanny Ashton had, from the -first, treated him as a friend. She could not help liking him. Indeed, -possibly, had his modesty not prevented him at that time offering her -his hand, she might have become his wife. At the same time, she -probably had not asked herself the question as to how far her heart was -his. She was all life and spirits, with capacity for enjoying -existence. By degrees, as she mixed more and more with the gay world, -her estimation of the humble clerk altered. She acknowledged his -sterling qualities, but the fashionable and brilliant cavaliers she met -in society were more according to her taste. An aunt, with whom she -went to reside in London, mixed much in the world. Roger Kyffin, who -had looked upon himself in the light of a permitted suitor, though not -an accepted one, naturally called at her aunt's house in the West End. -His reception by Fanny was not as cordial as formerly. Her manner after -this became colder and colder, till at last when he went to her aunt's -door he was no longer welcomed. Still his love for Fanny and his faith -in her excellencies were not diminished. - -"When she comes back to her quiet home she will be as she was before," -he thought to himself, and so, though somewhat sad and disappointed, he -went on hoping that he might win her affection and become her husband. - -At length Fanny Ashton returned home. Roger Kyffin, with the eye of -love, observed a great change in her. She was no longer lively and -animated as before. Her cheek was pale, and an anxious expression -passed constantly over her countenance. She received him kindly, but -with more formality than usual. Still Mr. Kyffin ventured to speak to -her. She appreciated his love and devotion, she said, and regretted she -could not give her love in return. - -Roger Kyffin did not further press his suit, yet went as frequently to -the house as he could. Several times he had observed a gentleman in the -neighbourhood. He was a fashionably-dressed, handsome man. There was -something, however, in the expression of his countenance which Roger -Kyffin did not like, for having seen him once, the second time they met -he marked him narrowly. What brought him to that neighbourhood? One -day as he was going towards Mrs. Ashton's house--Fanny's mother was a -widow, and she was her only child--he met the stranger coming out of the -door. He would scarcely have been human had his jealousy not been -aroused. He turned homeward, for he could not bring himself to call -that day. The following evening, however, he went as usual, but great -was his consternation to find that Fanny had gone to stay with her aunt. -His worst fears were realised when, three weeks after this, he heard -that Fanny Ashton had married Major Tryon. He could have borne his -disappointment better if he could have thought that Fanny had married a -man worthy of her. - -To conquer his love he felt was impossible. His affection was true and -loyal. He would now watch over her and be of service if he could. His -inquiries as to the character of Major Tryon were thoroughly -unsatisfactory. He was a gay man about town, well known on the turf, -and a pretty constant frequenter of "hells" and gambling-houses. He was -the son of an old general, Sir Harcourt Tryon, and so far of good -family. Though a heartless and worthless _roue_, he seemed really to -have fallen in love with Fanny Ashton, and having done his best to win -her affections, he had at length resolved, as he called it, to "put his -neck into the noose." Roger Kyffin trembled for Fanny's happiness, not -without reason. Major Tryon had taken lodgings for her in London. -Roger Kyffin discovered where he was residing. Unknown to her, he -watched over her like a guardian angel, a fond father, or a devoted -brother. In a short time her husband took her to the neighbourhood of -Lynderton, in Hampshire, where Sir Harcourt and Lady Tryon resided, in -the hopes, probably, that they would take notice of her. He engaged a -small cottage with a pretty little garden in front of it, from which a -view of the Solent and the Isle of Wight was obtained. Lady Tryon, -however, and she ruled her husband, had greatly disapproved of her son's -marriage with the penniless Fanny Ashton, and consequently refused even -to see his young wife. - -In a short time Fanny was deserted by her worthless husband. Not many -months had passed away before she received the announcement of his death -in a duel. That very evening her child Harry was born. She never quite -recovered from the shock she had received. Sad and dreary were the -weeks she passed. No one called on her, for though it was known that -Major Tryon was married, people were not aware that his young widow was -residing at Sea View Cottage, which, standing at a distance from any -high road, few of them ever passed. Her little boy was her great -consolation. All her affections were centred in him. Her only visitor -was good Dr. Jessop, the chief medical practitioner at Lynderton. She -called him in on one occasion when Harry was ill. There was not much -the matter with the child, but he saw at once that the mother far more -required his aid. There was a hectic flush on her cheek, a brightness -in her eye, and a short cough which at once alarmed him, and he resolved -to keep Master Harry on the sick list, that he might have a better -excuse for going over to see the poor young widow. - -CHAPTER THREE. - -THE HERO'S EARLY DAYS, AND A DESCRIPTION OF A LADY OF QUALITY. - -Roger Kyffin heard of Major Tryon's death soon after it occurred. He -was afraid that Fanny might be left badly off, and he considered how he -could with the greatest delicacy assist her. He would not intrude on -her grief, but he thought that he might employ some person in the -neighbourhood who would act as agent to take care that she was supplied -with every comfort. - -That evening he was travelling down in the mail coach to Lynderton. He -knew his way to the cottage as well as anybody in the place. - -Near it was a little inn, to which he had his carpet bag conveyed. Here -he took up his abode. He felt a satisfaction in being near her, but was -nervous lest by any means she should find out that he was in the -neighbourhood. He soon discovered that Dr. Jessop drove by every day -and visited the cottage, and he resolved, therefore, to stop the doctor -and introduce himself as a friend of Mrs. Tryon's family. If he found -him a trustworthy and sensible person, he would employ him as his agent -in affording the assistance he wished to render the widow. He saw him, -and was satisfied that Dr. Jessop was just the person he hoped to find. - -"I have had a long round of visits," said the worthy practitioner, "and -would gladly put up my horse at the inn and talk the matter over with -you." - -They were soon seated together in the little parlour allotted to Mr. -Kyffin. His wishes were easily explained. "My interesting patient -will, I am sure, feel grateful for the sympathy and assistance of her -unknown friend," said the doctor; "but to be frank with you, Mr. Kyffin, -I fear she will not enjoy it for many years. I believe that her days -are numbered--" - -He stopped suddenly, observing Roger Kyffin's countenance. - -"My dear sir," he exclaimed, "I was not aware how deeply I was wounding -you, and yet, my friend, it is better to know the truth. You may yet -prove a friend to her boy, and should she be taken away, the poor child -will greatly need one." - -It would be difficult to describe the feelings which agitated Roger -Kyffin's kind heart. He had one consolation. He might, as the doctor -suggested, prove a friend and guardian to the orphan boy. The kind -doctor called every day to report on the health of his patient. He -gladly undertook to do all in his power in carrying out Mr. Kyffin's -wishes, and promised not to betray the donor of the money which was to -be placed at Mrs. Tryon's disposal. - -Roger Kyffin could with difficulty tear himself away from the -neighbourhood. He received constant communications from Dr. Jessop, who -sent him rather more favourable reports of Mrs. Tryon. Five years -passed by--Mrs. Tryon's mother was dead. She had no wish to leave her -little cottage. Where, indeed, could she go? Her only employment was -that of watching over her little boy. During this time several changes -had taken place in the neighbourhood. Sir Harcourt Tryon died. Though -he must have been aware of his grandson's existence, he had never -expressed any wish to see him. At length the mother caught cold. The -effect was serious. Dr. Jessop became alarmed, and wrote an account of -her state to Mr. Kyffin. She could no longer take Harry out to walk, -and had therefore to send him under charge of a nursemaid. - - -One day he and his nurse were longer absent than usual. What could have -kept them? The young mother went to the garden-gate several times, and -looked anxiously along the road. She felt the wind very cold. Again -she entered the house. Could she have mistaken the hour? The next time -she threw a shawl over her shoulders, but the cold made her cough -fearfully. At last she saw a female figure in the distance. It was -Susan the nurse, but Harry was not with her. Mrs. Tryon had to support -herself by the gate till the girl came up. - -"Where is Harry? where is my child?" she exclaimed. - -"I could not help it, ma'am, I did my best to prevent it," answered the -nurse, crying. - -Poor Fanny's heart sank within her; her knees trembled. - -"Prevent what?" she exclaimed; "what has happened? where is my boy?" - -"No harm has come to him, ma'am, though there might have been, but it is -all right now," answered Susan. "We were going on, Master Harry -skipping and playing in front of me, when I saw a carriage coming along -the road very fast. I ran on to catch hold of him, but he darted away -just under the horses' feet. I screamed out, and the coachman pulled -up. An old lady was in the carriage, and putting her head out of the -window she asked what was the matter? Seeing the little boy, she wanted -to know whose child he was. When I told her, she ordered the footman to -lift him into the carriage. She looked at his face as if she was -reading a book, then she kissed him and sat him down by her side. I -begged the lady to let me have him again, as I wanted to come home. -`No,' she said, `go and tell your mistress that his grandmother has -taken him with her, that she is pleased with his looks, and must take -him for a short time.' I knew, ma'am, that you would be vexed, and I -begged the lady again and again to let me have him, but she answered -that he must go with her, and that it would be better for him in the -end." - -Poor Mrs. Tryon had been listening with breathless eagerness to this -account of the nursemaid's. Leaning on the girl's arm, she tottered -back to the house, scarcely knowing whether or not she ought to be -thankful that the boy had been seen by his grandmother. One thing she -knew, she longed to press him to her own bosom. She felt, however, weak -and ill. While yet undecided how to act, Dr. Jessop's carriage drove up -to the gate. As he entered the house, she was seized with a fit of -coughing, followed by excessive weakness. As she was leaning back in -the arm-chair, the doctor felt her pulse. As soon as she could speak -she told him what had happened. He looked very grave. - -"My dear madam," he said, "I am sorry that her ladyship has carried off -the little boy. If you will give me authority, I will drive on and -bring him back to you. An old friend of yours has come down to this -neighbourhood, and he wishes to see Harry. He has heard that you are -ill, and desires to know from your own lips your wishes with regard to -your boy." - -"What do you mean, doctor?" asked the dying lady, looking up with an -inquiring glance at the doctor's face. "The child is so young that I -should not wish to part from him for some years to come." - -"My dear lady," said Dr. Jessop, solemnly, "the lives of all of us are -in God's hands. You are suffering from a serious complaint. It would -be cruel in me not to warn you that you are in considerable danger." - -"Do you mean to say I'm going to die, doctor--that I must part from my -boy?" gasped out poor Fanny, in a faint voice. - -"I should wish you to be prepared, should it be God's will to call you -away," answered the doctor, much moved. "If you will give authority to -your devoted friend, Mr. Roger Kyffin, I am sure he will act the part of -a parent to your boy. I expect him here this evening, and as he wishes -to see Harry, I will drive over to Lady Tryon and request her ladyship -to allow me to bring your boy back to you. Certainly in most cases a -child's grandmother is a proper person to act as guardian, but though I -attend Lady Tryon professionally when she is in the country, I am unable -to express a satisfactory opinion as to her fitness for the task. I -begged my friend Tom Wallis, the solicitor at Lynderton, to ride over -here with Mr. Kyffin; so that should you wish to place your boy under -the legal protection of your old friend, you may be able to do so." - -"Surely his grandmother is a proper person to take charge of Harry; -though I have no cause to regard her with affection," said Fanny, in a -faint voice, "yet I could with more confidence consign him to that kind -and generous man, Mr. Kyffin; I will do therefore as he wishes, only -requesting that the boy may be allowed to remain as much as possible -during his childhood with his grandmother." - -Poor Fanny! a lingering feeling of pride prompted this resolution. Far -better would it have been, in all human probability, for the boy, had -she committed him entirely to her faithful friend's care, and not -mentioned Lady Tryon. The doctor knew too well that his patient had not -many hours to live. He hurried off to Aylestone Hall, the residence of -Lady Tryon. The old lady expressed herself delighted with the child, -and was very unwilling to part with him. Indeed, though she was told of -her daughter-in-law's dangerous state, she positively refused to give -him up, unless the doctor promised to bring him back again. Harry was -accordingly placed in the doctor's carriage, which drove rapidly back to -Mrs. Tryon's cottage. - -"I can give you but little hopes," said the doctor to Roger Kyffin, -whom, in company with Mr. Wallis, he met at the cottage gate. - -Roger Kyffin sighed deeply. The little boy flew towards his mother. -She had scarcely strength to bend forward to meet him. The doctor held -him while she pressed him to her bosom. - -"May he come in?" asked the doctor. - -"Yes," she whispered, "I should be glad to see him before I die; you -were right, doctor, and kind to warn me." - -Roger Kyffin entered the room, but his knees trembled, and he could -scarcely command his voice. Fanny thanked him for all his kindness; -"continue it," she said, "to this poor child." - -The doctor signed to Mr. Wallis to come forward. He had brought writing -materials. Fanny expressed her wish to place her child under Roger -Kyffin's guardianship. She signed the paper. She evidently wished to -say more, but her voice failed her. It was with difficulty she could -gasp out the last words she had uttered. In vain the doctor -administered a restorative. With her one arm flung round her boy, while -Roger Kyffin held her other hand, her spirit took its departure. - -Roger Kyffin would gladly have carried Harry off to London, but no -sooner did Lady Tryon hear of the death of her neglected -daughter-in-law, than, driving over to the cottage, she took Harry with -her back to Aylestone Hall. She directed also that a proper funeral -should be prepared; and at her request several distant members and -connections of the family attended it. Thus Mrs. Tryon was laid to rest -with as much pomp and ceremony as possible, in Lynderton churchyard. - -With a sad heart Roger Kyffin returned to London and devoted himself -with even more than his usual assiduity to his mercantile duties. - -Aylestone Hall was a red brick building, surrounded by a limited extent -of garden and shrubbery, within half a mile of the town of Lynderton. -The interior, for a country house, had a somewhat gloomy and -unpicturesque aspect. Young Harry felt depressed by the atmosphere, so -different from the cheerful little cottage, with its flower-surrounded -lawn, to which he had been accustomed. He was not drawn either to his -grandmother, though she intended to be kind to him. She treated him -indeed much as a child does a new plaything, constantly fondling it at -first, and then casting it aside uncared for. Harry was also soon -nauseated by the old lady's caresses. He had, too, a natural antipathy -to musk, of which her garments were redolent. - -Lady Tryon was a small woman with strongly marked features, decidedly -forbidding at first sight, though she possessed the art of smiling, and -making herself very agreeable to her equals. She could smile especially -very sweetly when she had an object to gain, or wished to be -particularly agreeable; but her countenance could also assume a very -different aspect when she was angry. She had bright grey eyes, which -seemed to look through and through the person to whom she was speaking, -while her countenance, utterly devoid of colour, was wrinkled and -puckered in a curious way. She always wore rouge, and was dressed in -the height of fashion. She very soon discarded her widow's ugly cap, -and the gayest, of colours decked her shrivelled form, the waist almost -close up under the arms, and the dress very low, a shawl being flung -over her shoulders. She could laugh and enjoy a joke, but her voice was -discordant, and even when she wished to be most courteous there was a -want of sincerity in its tone. Lady Tryon had been maid of honour in -her youth to a royal personage, and possessed a fund of anecdote about -the Court, which was listened to with respectful delight by her country -neighbours. She was supposed to have very literary tastes, and to have -read every book in existence. The fact was that she scarcely ever -looked into one, but she picked up a semblance of knowledge, and having -a retentive memory was able to make the most of any information she -obtained. In the same way she had got by heart a large supply of -poetry, which she was very clever in quoting, and as her audience was -not often very critical, any mistakes of which she might have been -guilty were rarely discovered. Her chief talent was in letter-writing, -and she kept up a constant epistolary correspondence with aristocratic -friends. No one could more elegantly turn a compliment or express -sympathy with sorrow and disappointment. She occasionally, too, penned -a copy of verses. If there was not much originality in the lines, the -words were well chosen, and the metre correct. She described herself as -being a warm friend and a bitter enemy. The latter she had undoubtedly -proved herself on more than one occasion; but the warmth of her -friendship depended rather upon the amount of advantage she was likely -to gain by its exhibition than from any sensation of the heart. In -fact, those who knew her best had reason to doubt whether she was -possessed of that article. In reality, its temperature was, without -variation, down at zero. Poor Sir Harcourt, a warmhearted man, had -discovered this fact before he had been very long united to her. She, -however, managed from the first to rule him with a rod of iron, and to -gain her own way in everything. Most fatally had she gained it in the -management of her son, whom she had utterly ruined by her pernicious -system of education. Sir Harcourt endeavoured to make all the excuses -for her in his power. - -"She is all mind!" he used to observe. "A delightful woman--such powers -of conversation! We must not expect too much from people! She has a -wonderful command of her feelings: never saw her excited in my life! A -wonderful mind, a wonderful mind has Lady Tryon!" - -Lady Tryon had, however, one passion. It absorbed her sufficiently to -make her forget any annoyances. She was fond of play. She would sit up -half the night at cards, and, cool and calculating, she generally -managed to come off winner. Of late years she had not been so -successful. Her mind was not so strong as it was, and all her powers of -calculation had decreased. Still she retained the passion as strong as -ever. In London she had no difficulty in gratifying it, but during her -forced visits to the country she found few people willing to play with -her. At first, her country neighbours were highly flattered at being -invited to her house, but they soon found that they had to pay somewhat -dear for the honour. Still her ladyship, while winning their money, was -so agreeable, and smiled so sweetly, and spoke so softly, that like -flies round the candle, they could not resist the temptation of -frequenting her house. For some years she managed to rule the -neighbourhood with a pretty high hand. There was only one person who -refused to succumb to her blandishments, and of her she consequently -stood not a little in awe. This person was an authoress, not unknown to -fame. She had more than once detected the piracies of which Lady Tryon -had been guilty in her poetical effusions, and could not resist, when -her ladyship spoke of books, asking her in which review she had seen -such and such remarks. Miss Bertrand was young, not pretty, certainly, -but very genuine and agreeable, and possessed of a large amount of -talent. She drew admirably, and her prose and poetical works were -delightful. Lady Tryon looked upon her as a rival, and hated her -accordingly. - -Such was the grand-dame under whose care Harry Tryon was to be brought -up. Dr. Jessop was not happy about the matter. He would far rather -that the honest clerk had taken charge of the boy. He resolved, -however, as far as he had the power, to counteract the injudicious -system he discovered that Lady Tryon was pursuing. For this purpose he -won the little fellow's affection, and as he was a constant visitor at -the house in his official capacity, he was able to maintain his -influence. When her ladyship went to town he induced her to allow Harry -to come and stay with him, and on these occasions he never failed to -invite Roger Kyffin down to pay him a visit. The worthy clerk's -holidays were therefore always spent in the neighbourhood of Lynderton. -The two kindly men on these occasions did their best to pluck out the -ill weeds which had been growing up in Master Harry, while under his -grandmother's care. It was, however, no easy task to root them out, and -to sow good seed in their stead. Still, by their means Harry did learn -the difference between good and evil, which, if left to Lady Tryon's -instructions, he certainly would never have done. He also became very -much attached to the old doctor and to his younger friend, and would -take advice from them, which he would receive from no one else. He grew -up a fine, manly boy, with many right and honourable feelings; and -though his mental powers might not have been of a very high order, he -had fair talents, and physically his development was very perfect. Lady -Tryon herself began to teach him to read, and as he showed a -considerable aptitude for acquiring instruction, and gave her no -trouble, she continued the process till he was able to read without -difficulty by himself. She put all sorts of books into his hands, from -which his brain extracted a strange jumble of ideas. He certainly -acquired very good manners from his grandmother, and to the surprise of -the neighbourhood, when he was ten years old there was scarcely a better -behaved boy in Lynderton. Dr. Jessop then suggested that he should be -sent to Winchester School, or some other place of public instruction. -Lady Tryon would not hear of this, though she consented that he should -attend the grammar school at Lynderton. For this the worthy doctor was -not sorry. - -"I can look after him the better," he said to himself, "and go on with -the process of pulling up the weeds during her ladyship's absence." -Harry's holidays were generally spent in the country. Twice, however, -his grandmother had him up to London in the winter. On these occasions, -Mr. Kyffin got leave from her ladyship to have him to stay with him part -of the time. Every spare moment of the day was devoted to the lad. He -took him to all the sights of London, and in the evenings contrived for -him variety of amusement. Harry became more and more attached to Mr. -Kyffin, and more ready to listen to his advice, and more anxious to -please him. Thus the boy grew on, gaining mental and physical strength, -though without forming many associates of his own rank in life. His -manners were very good, and his tastes were refined, and this prevented -him associating with the ordinary run of boys at the grammar school. - -CHAPTER FOUR. - -HARRY TRYON'S FIRST ADVENTURE.--LYNDERTON AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. - -Harry Tryon in his new home had the sea constantly before his eyes. -Sometimes he saw it blue and laughing, and dotted over with the white -canvas of numerous vessels glistening in the sunshine. At other times -the stout ships were tossed by tempests, or doing battle with the -foaming waves. Often the boy longed for the life of a sailor, to go -forth over that broad unknown ocean in search of adventure; but the old -lady would not hear of it. It was the only wish in which she thwarted -him: she usually spoiled him, and gave him everything he asked for, -especially if he cried loud enough for it. But he was now getting too -old to cry for what he wanted, and he must take some other means to -obtain his wishes. Poor Harry! his nursery life had been a checkered -one; sometimes shut up by himself in a dark room, sometimes almost -starved and frightened to death; at others pampered, stuffed with rich -food, exhibited in the drawing-room as a prodigy, his vanity excited, -and allowed to do exactly as he listed. Perhaps one style of treatment -checked the bad effects of the other. - -Lynderton stood on the bank of a small river. Harry had no difficulty -in obtaining a boat, in which he learned to row. Lady Tryon did not -know how he was employed, or she would probably have sent for him, and -kept him driving about in her musk-smelling carriage, which Harry hated. -As he grew older he managed to get trips in fishing vessels, on board -small traders which ran between the neighbouring ports, and sometimes he -got a trip on board a revenue cruiser--the old "Rose," well known on the -coast. There were not many yachts in those days; but two or three of -the people residing at Lynderton had small vessels, and Harry was always -a welcome guest on board them. His love for the sea was thus partially -gratified and fostered, and he became a first-rate hand in a boat or -yacht. Still he yearned for something else. - -One day he was standing on the quay at the foot of the town, when a -stout sailor lad stopped near him, and putting out his hand exclaimed: -"Well, Master Harry! I did not know you at first: you are grown so. -You're looking out for a sail down the river, I'll warrant?" - -"You are right, Jacob," answered Harry, shaking the proffered hand. "I -have not had a sniff of salt water for the last week. But where have -you been all this time?" - -"I have been to sea, Master Harry--to foreign lands--and if you are so -minded I will help you to take a trip there, too." - -"You have not been away long enough to go to any foreign lands that I -know of, except perhaps the coast of France or to Holland," observed -Harry. - -"That's just where I have been, Master Harry, and if you like to come -down along the quay I will show you the craft I went in. She's not one -a seaman need be ashamed of, let me tell you." - -Harry accompanied his friend. Jacob Tuttle had been one of Harry's -first companions in a boat, and he indeed taught him to row. As he was -six or eight years older than Harry, the latter looked at him with great -respect, and considered him an accomplished seaman. He was, indeed, a -good specimen of the British sailor of those days, brave, open-hearted, -and generous, but with the smallest possible amount of judgment or -discretion. Harry accompanied him along the bank of the river for some -distance. - -"There! what do you think of her?" asked Jacob, pointing to a -wonderfully long, narrow lugger which lay alongside the wooden quay or -jetty. "She measures 120 feet from the tip of her bowsprit to the end -of her outrigger, and she sails like the wind. We pull forty oars, and -there is no revenue cutter can come near us, blow high or blow low." -The vessel at which Harry and his companion were looking was indeed a -beautiful craft. She had fore and aft cuddies for sleeping berths, and -was open amid-ships "for the stowage of 2,000 kegs of spirits," Jacob -whispered in Harry's ear. "Would you not like to take a trip in her, -Master Harry?" - -Harry confessed that he should like it very much. - -Lady Tryon was on the point of starting for London. Probably the "Saucy -Sally" would not sail for two or three days. He might make the trip and -be back again without anybody knowing anything about it. Tuttle would -introduce Harry to the skipper. He was a first-rate fellow, whether an -Englishman or a foreigner he could not tell, but his equal was not -easily to be found. It was a pleasure to be with him in a gale of wind, -and to hear him issue his orders. Captain Falwasser was his name. The -"Saucy Sally" carried fifty hands, officers and crew, all told, and had -guns too, but they were kept stowed away below, unless wanted. - -"But, Harry, come on board." - -Harry could not resist the temptation. He reflected little about the -rights of the thing, and even if he had, to say the truth, Captain -Falwasser's occupation was at that time not much condemned by public -opinion. He soon found himself visiting every part of the "Saucy -Sally," and being introduced to her daring skipper. Captain Falwasser -was a strongly-built man, but in other respects refined and gentlemanly -in appearance. The expression of his lips showed wonderful -determination, and those who looked at his eye felt that they were in -the presence of a man accustomed to command his fellows. His cheek was -pale and sunken, and there was on his features a settled expression of -melancholy. Harry was delighted with all he saw, and longed more than -ever to take a trip on board the lugger. Captain Falwasser, however, -did not seem inclined to indulge him in his wish. At last he had to go -on shore, and return home. A few days after this he saw the "Saucy -Sally" with her jovial crew, loudly cheering, while she dropped down the -river, the Custom House officers looking on. - -"We'll catch them one of these days, in spite of all their cunning," -observed one. "They think we don't know when they are coming back. We -will show them their mistake." - -Harry kept thinking of the "Saucy Sally" and her bold skipper, and he -still entertained the hopes of some day making a trip in her. Two or -three weeks passed away, and once more she lay in Lynderton river, with -her empty hold looking as innocent as if she had been merely out for a -few hours' pleasure trip. There were reports of a large cargo having -been run somewhere on the Dorsetshire coast, not far from Yarmouth, but -of course the crew of the "Saucy Sally" knew nothing of the matter. A -body of yeomanry had met a large party of waggons, surrounded by two or -three hundred men, each with pistols in their holsters, and carbines in -their hands, proceeding northward; but the soldiers considered -discretion, in this case, the better part of valour, being very sure, -had they attempted to interfere with them, they would be cut down to a -man. It was shrewdly suspected that this cavalcade was conveying to a -place of safety the cargo landed from the "Saucy Sally." Harry very -naturally went down to have a look at the lugger. Jacob Tuttle told him -how sorry he had felt that he could not come the last trip. - -"If you have a mind for it still, come on board the night before, and I -will stow you away. When we are fairly at sea, you can come out, and if -the skipper is angry I will stand the blame." - -Harry managed to get away from Aylestone Hall, his grandmother being -still absent, and was, unseen by any one, stowed on board the "Saucy -Sally." It is possible that more than once, while shut up in the close -cuddy, he repented of his proposed exploit. However, he was in for it, -as the crew, most of them half-seas over, kept coming on board. The -next morning, if not as sober as judges, they were yet pretty well able -to handle the lugger, and with their usual exulting shouts they manned -their oars and pulled down the river. They were soon at sea, and -getting a slant of wind, the smuggler's enormous lug-sails were hoisted, -and away she stood towards the French coast. Jacob, according to -promise, released Harry. The skipper's sharp eye soon singled him out, -though he kept forward among the crew. He was summoned aft, and fully -expected a severe scolding. - -"What made you come with us, my boy?" asked Captain Falwasser, in a kind -tone. "You are too young to run the dangers we have to go through. You -will have enough of them by-and-bye. And so Jacob Tuttle brought you, -did he? I will settle that business with him. You must be under my -charge till I land you again at Lynderton." - -Jacob Tuttle not only got a severe scolding, but the captain threatened -to dismiss him as soon as they got back to England. Meantime the -appearance of the lugger was being changed. The crew, as they drew near -the French coast, dressed as Frenchmen, and pieces of painted canvas -were hung over the sides of the vessel, so that she no longer looked -like the trim, dashing craft she really was. The "Saucy Sally" dropped -her anchor close in with the coast, just as the shades of evening fell -over the ocean. A boat was lowered. Harry had been made to change his -dress like the rest. The skipper invited him to accompany him. - -"Remember you are to be dumb," said Captain Falwasser. "If you keep -close to me no harm will come to you." - -A light was shown on board the vessel, and was immediately answered by -another on shore. Soon afterwards a number of boats were heard -approaching. The captain exchanged a signal with one of them, and then -continued his course to the shore. After walking some distance they -reached a town. The captain paid several visits, and as he spoke -French, Harry could not make out what was said. The captain seemed -greatly surprised and shocked at some disastrous news he heard. He -transacted business with some people on whom he called, and Harry saw -him pay away the contents of a large bag of gold. He was more silent -than ever on his walk back to the beach. He sighed deeply. "Unhappy -France, unhappy France!" he said to himself; "what is to become of you?" - -When they got on board the lugger again, she was deeply laden with kegs -and bales of goods. That instant her anchor was tripped, and sail being -made, she stood back towards the English coast. Daylight soon -afterwards broke. She made the land some time before dark, but waited -till she could not be seen from the shore before she ran in. Sharp eyes -kept looking out for the expected signal: it was made. She ran in till -her bows almost touched the sand. Fully three hundred people were -waiting on the beach; with wonderful rapidity her cargo was landed, and -each cask or bale being put on the broad shoulders of a stout fellow, -was carried away instantly up the cliff. Not a yard of silk, a bottle -of brandy, nor a pound of tobacco remained on board. Instantly the oars -were got out, and before daylight she was once more at the mouth of -Lynderton river. - -"I have only one request to make," said the captain to Harry, "that you -will promise me faithfully not to tell to any one what you have seen. -You came on board the `Saucy Sally,' were away a couple of nights, and -were once again put safely on shore at Lynderton. That's all you may -tell, remember." - -Harry gave his promise; he felt grateful to. Captain Falwasser for the -kind treatment he had received. Harry begged that Jacob Tuttle might be -forgiven. The captain replied he would consider the matter; but Jacob -did not seem inclined to trust to him, and soon afterwards entered on -board a man-of-war. - -This was Harry's first adventure. He was somewhat disappointed in the -result. It was some time before he engaged in another. - -There were a good many country houses scattered about in the -neighbourhood of Lynderton; and at most of them Harry, who was growing -into a remarkably fine-looking young man, had become a great favourite. -He danced well, could talk agreeably, and was always ready to make -himself useful. He was a welcome guest, especially at Stanmore Park, -the residence of Colonel Everard. The Colonel was one of the -representatives of the oldest and most influential families in that part -of the country. General Tryon had been an old friend of his, and he was -very glad when Lady Tryon acknowledged her grandson, and took him under -her protecting wing. Had the Colonel been a more acute observer than he -was, he might not have so readily congratulated the boy on his good -fortune. Colonel Everard had an only daughter, Lucy; and a niece, -Mabel, who resided with him. The latter was the daughter of his -brother, Captain Digby Everard, who was constantly at sea. When he came -on shore for a short period he took up his residence at Stanmore Park. -A maiden sister, always called Madam Everard, who superintended his -household, was the only other constant member of his family. Stanmore -Park was a fine old place of red brick, with spreading wings. A long -drive under an avenue of noble trees led up to the front of the house, -and looked out on a wide extent of park land. There was a beautiful -view of the sea from the windows on the opposite side. There was a -magnificent lawn of thick shrubberies, and lofty umbrageous trees, and -extensive lakes, across which were bits of woodland scenery, the -graceful trees of varied foliage being reflected in the calm water. -Altogether, Stanmore Park was a very delightful place. Harry, however, -although he was very fond of going there, liked the inhabitants even -more than the place itself. Madam Everard was a good kind woman who, -though advanced in life, had feelings almost as fresh as those of her -young nieces, who were pretty, attractive girls. Harry thought so, and -as he saw a good deal of them, he was well able to judge. His happiest -days were spent in their society; sometimes attending them on horseback, -sometimes fishing with them in the lake, sometimes rowing them in a boat -on the largest piece of water. Captain Everard had had a miniature -frigate placed on the lake; and Harry was present while it was being -fitted out and rigged, so that he learnt the name of every rope and sail -belonging to her. It was wonderful how much nautical knowledge he -gained on that occasion. - -CHAPTER FIVE. - -TWO YOUNG FIRE-EATERS OUT-GENERALLED. - -Lynderton was about that time made a depot of a foreign legion, and -although the presence of a large body of military did not add much to -the morality of the place, there was a considerable number of talented -persons among the officers and their wives. Instruction could now be -procured in abundance, in foreign languages, dancing, singing, in the -use of all sorts of instruments, from pianos down to flageolets, and in -drawing and painting. Counts and barons were glad to obtain -remuneration for their talents, and many a butcher's or grocer's bill -was liquidated by the instruction afforded to the female portions of the -commercial families of the place in dancing and singing. Colonel -Everard engaged a very charming countess to instruct his daughter and -niece in dancing, and as it was convenient to have a third person, Harry -was invited over to join the lessons. The name of the French lady who -taught them dancing was Countess de Thaonville. She was a very handsome -person, but there was a deep shade of melancholy on her countenance. No -wonder. Her history was a sad one, as was that of many of her -countrywomen and countrymen, now exiles in a foreign land. Harry -benefited greatly by these lessons. They contributed to civilise and -refine him. Had, however, Madam Everard known a little more of the -world, as years rolled on, she would probably not have invited him so -often to come to the house. In his young days he had looked on Lucy and -Mabel very much in the light of sisters, but somehow or other he began -to prefer one to the other. Mabel was certainly his favourite. How it -came to pass he could not tell, but he was happier in her society than -in that of her cousin, or in that of anybody else. He was only about -two years her senior, while Lucy was several years older. This might -have made some difference. Occasionally the Countess brought a young -officer of the legion, Baron de Ruvigny, to the house to assist in the -music, as he played the violin well. He was a mere youth, but very -gentlemanly and pleasing, and he became a great favourite with Madam -Everard. Harry did not quite like his coming; he thought he seemed -rather too attentive to Mabel. However, he was a very good fellow, -although he could not play cricket or row a boat, and as Mabel certainly -gave him no encouragement, Harry began to like him. - -By the time Harry was eighteen Mabel had become a lovely and an amiable -girl. No wonder that being much in her society he should have loved -her. Lady Tryon, who had always indulged him, was not long in -discovering the state of his affections, and instead or attempting to -check him, she encouraged him in his wish to obtain the hand of Mabel -Everard. - -Colonel Everard, like many old soldiers, was an early riser. He -usually, in the summer, took a walk before breakfast through the -grounds. His figure was tall and commanding. Although considerably -more than seventy, he still walked with an upright carriage and -soldier-like air. He carried a stick in his hand, but often placed it -under his arm, as he was wont in his youth to carry his sword. The -front part of his head was bald, and his silvery locks were secured -behind in a queue, neatly tied with black ribbon. His features were -remarkably fine, and age had failed to dim the brightness of his blue -eye. His invariable morning costume was an undress military coat, which -had seen some service, while no one could look at him without seeing -that he was a man accustomed to courts as well as camps. One morning he -was stopping to look at a flower-bed lately laid out by his daughter -Lucy, when he heard footsteps approaching him. A turn of the walk -concealed him from the house. - -"Well, Paul, what is it?" he asked, looking up. - -"I have something to communicate, Colonel." - -The speaker was a tall thin man, with a mark of a sword-cut on one of -his well-bronzed and weather-beaten cheeks, which had not added to his -beauty. There was, notwithstanding this, an honest, pleasant expression -in his countenance which was sure to command confidence. His air was -that of an old soldier; indeed, as he spoke, his hand went mechanically -up to his hat, while as he halted, he drew himself as upright as one of -the neighbouring fir-trees. Paul Gauntlett, the Colonel's faithful -follower and body servant, had left Lynderton with him upwards of fifty -years before, and had been by his side in every battle in which he had -been engaged. - -"There's mischief brewing, and if it is not put a stop to, harm will -come of it," he continued. - -"What do you mean?" asked the Colonel. - -"Just this, sir. I was lying down close to the lake to draw in a night -line I set last night, when who should come by but young Master Harry -Tryon with his fishing-rod in his hand, and his basket by his side. I -was just going to get up and speak to him, for he did not see me, when I -saw another person, who was no other than that young foreigner, the -Baron de Ruvigny, as he calls himself. Master Harry asked him what he -was doing, and he said that it was no business of his, as far as I could -make out. Then Master Harry got very angry, and told him that he should -not come to the park at all, and the other said that he was insulted. -Then Master Harry asked him what business he had to write letters to -young ladies, and the end of it was that they agreed to go into the town -and get swords or pistols and settle the matter that way. If they fix -on pistols it may be all very well; but if they fight with swords, -Master Harry's no hand with one, and the young Frenchman will pink him -directly they cross blades." - -"I am glad you told me of this," observed the Colonel. "It must be put -a stop to, or the hot-headed lads will be doing each other a mischief. -Who could the Frenchman have been writing to? Not my daughter or niece -I hope. It will not do to have their names mixed up in a brawl." - -"I think we could manage it at once, sir; they have not yet left the -grounds. They spoke as if they did not intend to fight till the -evening, as each of them would have to look out for his seconds. When -they parted, Master Harry walked on along the side of the lake and began -to fish, looking as cool as a cucumber, while the young Frenchman went -back into the summer-house, where he had been sitting when Master Harry -found him, and went on writing away on a sheet of paper, he had spread -on his hat. Now, sir, if you go down the walk you are pretty sure to -find him there still, and I have no doubt that I shall be able to fall -in with Master Harry, and I can tell him you want to see him at -breakfast, and that he must come, and make no excuse." - -Great was Harry's surprise to find the young Frenchman in the -breakfast-room, where the Colonel and the rest of the party were already -assembled. He was, as usual, cordially welcomed, and the butler shortly -afterwards announced that the fish he had caught would be speedily -ready. - -"We are very glad you have come, Harry," said Madam Everard, "you can -help us in arranging an important matter. The Colonel has just heard -that his Majesty intends honouring us with a visit in the course of a -day or two. The King sends word that he shall ride over from Lyndhurst, -and that we are to make no preparations for his reception; but he is -always pleased when there is some little surprise and above all things -he likes to see his subjects making themselves happy." - -"The Baron de Ruvigny says he is certain that Colonel Lejoille will lend -the band of the regiment, and we must have the militia and volunteer -bands. Will it not be delightful?" exclaimed Mabel. - -"We must have two large tents put up on one side of the lawn, so as not -to shut out the view from the windows." - -"There must be one for dancing," said Lucy, who was especially fond of -dancing. "There will be no want of partners, as there used to be before -the foreign officers came here. How very kind of the King to say he -will come." - -"Do you think that Cochut will have time to prepare a breakfast?" asked -the Colonel, looking at his sister. "We must send for him at once to -receive his orders. Baron, we must leave the bands of the regiments to -you. Harry, you must arrange with Mr. Savage, the sail-maker, for the -tents." - -"Now, recollect you two young men are to devote all your time and -energies to these objects," said Madam Everard, looking at them with a -meaning glance. - -"I must see you both in my study before you leave," said the Colonel, -"and now, lads, go to breakfast." - -The two young men looked at each other, and possibly suspected that the -Colonel might, by some wonderful means, have heard of their quarrel. - -CHAPTER SIX. - -ROYAL VISITORS.--THE KING AND THE MACE-BEARER.--THE FOES RECONCILED. - -The news of the good King's intended visit to Stanmore Park was soon -spread abroad. The mayor and burgesses of Lynderton resolved that they -would request his Majesty to honour their borough by stopping on his way -at their town-hall. The whole place was speedily in a state of the most -intense commotion. While the Colonel and his womankind were making all -the necessary preparations at the park, the lieges of Lynderton were -engaged in the erection of triumphal arches, with a collection of -banners of all sorts of devices, painting signboards and shop-fronts, -and the polishing up of military accoutrements. - -Lynderton was got into order for the reception of royalty even before -Stanmore Park had been prepared. One chief reason was that there were -many more hands in the town to undertake the work, and another was, -there was less work to be done. The great difficulty was to have the -band playing at both places at once. - -Colonel Everard had already engaged them, and they could not on any -account disappoint him. Still for the honour of Lynderton it was -necessary that a musical welcome should be wafted to the King as he -entered the precincts of the borough. At last it was arranged that a -part of the foreign band should remain in the town to welcome the King, -and then set off at a double-quick march to Stanmore, to be in readiness -to receive him there. - -The eventful morning at length arrived. It broke, however, with a -threatening aspect. There were clouds in the sky, which looked more -inclined to gather than disperse. Jacob Tuttle, who met Harry on his -way to Stanmore, where he was to finish getting the tents in order, told -him that it would be a rainy day. Madam Everard was in a state of -greater anxiety than any one else; indeed, she had many things to -trouble her. She was not sure that Monsieur Cochut would have performed -his work to her satisfaction. Then there were so many mouths to feed, -besides the King and his attendants, that she was afraid there might not -be sufficient provisions for them. The tents were already erected. -Harry had performed his part in a most satisfactory manner. She had no -doubt the Baron de Ruvigny would arrange the band. - -Not only was the King expected, but good Queen Charlotte and one or two -of the princesses had expressed their intention of driving over to -Stanmore. A few select guests had been invited to meet them. Among -others was Lady Tryon. There were also General Perkins and his wife, -and the well-known couple, Sir James and Lady Wallace. The General and -the Admiral were old friends, and older enemies, for they had met as -lads, when one was lieutenant of marines, and the other a midshipman, -and had actually fought a duel, at a time when that foolish and wicked -custom was in vogue even among youths. - -[The writer thinks it well at this point to state that the Royal visit -actually took place as described; also that the main facts and -characters in the story are taken from an unpublished diary of the time, -in possession of a member of the family.] - -The great mass of the neighbourhood were invited to the grounds. All -the arrangements were reported complete; but Madam Everard kept looking -up anxiously at the sky, which threatened every instant to send down its -waters upon the earth. The clouds gathered closer and closer, and some -time before the hour at which the royal family were expected to arrive -the rain began to descend. It was melancholy to look at the tents -growing darker and darker as the water poured down on them, and to see -the flags which should have been blowing out joyfully drooping on the -flagposts. The rain pattered against the window panes, and the air blew -in with a damp feel, which gave promise of a drenching day. Madam -Everard became very unhappy; even the young ladies lost their spirits. -The Colonel was the only person who seemed unconcerned. - -"I have done my best," he observed, "and there is no man more ready to -make allowance than the King, God bless him." The Colonel had been page -to George the Second, and had been attached to the court of the present -King, and knew him well, and, moreover, his many trials and -difficulties. "`Uneasy is the head that wears a crown.' Our good King -finds it so, and few of his subjects have greater domestic as well as -public trials to go through." - -Harry Tryon had been very busy and highly flattered by the confidence -which the Colonel and Madam Everard had placed in him. Whether or not -he still contemplated fighting the Baron de Ruvigny cannot now be said. - -Seeing Madam Everard's anxiety, he offered in spite of the rain to mount -a horse and gallop off to ascertain whether the royal party were coming -or not. His offer was accepted, and he was soon galloping away through -the street of Lynderton on the high road to Lyndhurst, by which it was -expected the King would come. He met on his way an open carriage and -four horses, full, as it seemed to him, of old women wrapped up in red -cloaks and hoods, such as were worn by the peasantry. He had got to the -turnpike kept by an old woman, Mammy Pocock by name, when he inquired -whether the royal family had come by. - -"Why, bless you, yes; that be they," said the old woman, pointing along -the road. "They stayed in here ever so long, but at last they thought -Madam Everard would be waiting for them, and so they borrowed my cloak, -and they sent out, and borrowed as many cloaks and shawls as could be -found in all the cottages near. It was curious to see the Queen and -princesses laughing as they put them on." - -Harry was going to hurry back with the news, when he saw a party of four -or five horsemen coming along the road. By this time the rain had -somewhat ceased. He drew up on one side to see who the strangers were. -He had little difficulty in recognising in the old gentleman who rode -first with his coat buttoned up, but without any great coat, the King of -England. Sir George Rose and two or three other gentlemen accompanied -his Majesty. One of them, apparently, was urging him to stop at the -tollgate, and dry his clothes. - -"A little wet won't hurt a man! a little wet won't hurt a man!" answered -the King. "The sun will soon come out, and answer the purpose better -than a fire." - -As Harry knew that the Queen would arrive at Stanmore before he could -get there, and that the King would be delayed for some time at Lynderton -he followed the cavalcade at a respectful distance. - -As they reached the entrance of the town the rain altogether ceased, and -the sun shone forth, and shouts of welcome rent the air, and the band -played a joyous tune, and the Mayor and the whole corporation in state -came forth to welcome his Majesty, and to accompany him to the entrance -of the town-hall. He there was ushered up, and led to a seat at the -farther end, where he graciously received an address from the mayor, -who, with the members of the corporation, were formally introduced. - -Conspicuous at the other end of the room was a gaunt personage in -scarlet robes trimmed with yellow fringe, bearing in his hand an -enormous gilt club, so it looked. - -"Who is that?" asked the King, eyeing the figure with a comical -expression. - -"That's our mace-bearer, your Majesty, Jedidiah Pike." - -Jedidiah Pike, hearing his name announced, supposed that he was -summoned, and advanced up the room. Overcome, however, by his feelings, -and awe at finding himself in the presence of majesty, down he went on -his knees, mace and all, and prostrated himself at the King's feet, -while, looking up with an expression of the most intense reverence, he -endeavoured to kiss the hand of majesty. - -"Get up, man! get up!" exclaimed the King, scarcely refraining his -laughter, "I am not the Grand Seignior nor a three-tailed Basha. Get -up, get up, man, and you shall kiss my hand, if it pleases you." The -King could restrain his laughter no longer, and gave way to a hearty -cachination, in which his attendants, and even the mayor and corporation -of Lynderton, heartily joined, greatly to the confusion of poor Pike, -who retreated backwards, very nearly tumbling over his own gown as he -endeavoured to escape from the royal presence. During the remainder of -the ceremony, the King every two minutes gave way to another hearty -laugh, and as he descended the stairs to mount his horse, he looked -round, and again inquired for his friend Pike. - -The King rode on as before, attended by the few gentlemen who had come -with him from Lyndhurst, the populace following at a respectful -distance. While he rode on, either side was lined with eager -spectators, who gave forth with cheerful voices reiterated welcomes. -The king nodded kindly, thanking the people now and then in words as he -rode on. - -Harry galloped on by a path he knew across the country, and the Colonel -was in readiness to receive his royal guest on his arrival. - -Meantime, the guests who had been invited to the _fete_ on the lawn -arrived from all quarters, while the breakfast-room which overlooked it -had been prepared for the royal family. They dined alone--the Colonel -and the ladies of his family, aided by Lady Tryon, attending on them. -Lady Tryon was delighted at being invited by the Queen to attend on her. -She made herself especially agreeable, and took the opportunity of -introducing her grandson to their Majesties. - -Harry behaved remarkably well under circumstances so novel to him, and -Mabel, at all events, thought that she had never seen him looking so -handsome. - -"He would make a charming page," Lady Tryon whispered in her ear; "I -must try and get their Majesties to take him." - -Meantime the sky had cleared, the sun shone forth brightly. The guests -were soon seen in their gayest costumes crossing the lawn to the tents, -the band struck up and played the most joyous tunes, and the King came -to the window and clapped his hands with delight. - -It was pleasant to see their Majesties mixing among the crowd, and -talking familiarly to many of the guests. Several the King recognised; -among others, Sir James Wallace, and his friend, General Perkins. -Upwards of an hour was thus passed, when one of the gentlemen-in-waiting -suggested to his Majesty that unless they soon commenced their homeward -ride it would be dark before they could reach Lyndhurst. The Queen and -princesses had already retired, as they purposed returning by the road -they came. - -"We must restore her cloak to Dame Pocock," observed the Queen, "and -other friends who were kind enough to lend them to us." - -The King, however, purposed riding across the forest by a shorter cut, -and through much beautiful woodland scenery. Harry held the King's -horse, while Colonel Everard assisted him to mount. - -"Ah!" said his Majesty, shaking the Colonel by the hand, "I am a happy -King to be able thus to ride through a forest with only three or four -unarmed attendants. Is there another sovereign in Europe that could do -the same? I wot not, Colonel." - -"Perhaps this young gentleman would like to accompany us," said one of -the gentlemen-in-waiting, turning to the Colonel. "I know my way across -the forest, but he probably is better acquainted with the paths on this -side of it, and may somewhat shorten our ride. I am anxious to get the -King home again lest his Majesty should have suffered by remaining so -long in his damp clothes." - -Harry was soon on horseback and galloping along to overtake the royal -party. Every path and glade in that part of the forest was well known -to him, and he was thus able to conduct the King, not only by shorter -paths, but to show him some especial bits of woodland scenery. The King -was much pleased, and complimented Harry on his taste. Whole troops of -deer were seen coming in from all directions towards a keeper's lodge, -where they were accustomed to assemble every evening to be fed. - -"A pity to shoot such beautiful creatures," said the King; "this forest -should be their own. If I had to frame new forest laws I should -certainly let the deer benefit by them. What say you, young gentleman?" - -Harry had to confess he had no objection to ride after a stag with a -pack of hounds, nor indeed to exercise his skill as a marksman on a fat -buck. - -The King laughed. - -"We must not be too much guided by our feelings," he observed. - -The King conversed constantly with Harry during the ride, and told him -that he hoped to see him again. The young man bowed low as they reached -Lyndhurst, and it is not surprising that his spirits should have been -somewhat elated at the honour which had been done him. He turned his -horse, and galloped quickly over the soft turf back again towards -Stanmore, eager to report the safe arrival of the King, and, it is -possible, to enjoy another dance with Mabel. She was not less well -pleased than he was with the honour the King had done him, and it is not -surprising that the young people should have thereon built up a somewhat -lofty castle in the air, vapoury and changeable, as such castles -invariably are. Lady Tryon was still more pleased. Her grandson had -achieved a success. She saw him in imagination basking in the smiles of -royalty, and obtaining the advantages which such smiles occasionally -bring. Not always, though, as they are apt to raise up "envy, hatred, -malice, and all uncharitableness," in the hearts of rivals. - -Dancing was still going on when Harry got back. On such occasions the -officers of the foreign legion considerably eclipsed the less -nimble-footed Englishmen, and were proportionally favourites. They -were, therefore, far more popular with the ladies than with the male -part of the community. - -Harry had not forgotten his quarrel with the Baron de Ruvigny, and was -somewhat surprised that the young lieutenant looked at him in so -unconcerned a manner. He was not revengeful by disposition, but he -fancied that he was in honour bound to settle the matter. - -"The sooner the better," he thought to himself. "I will look out for -him on his way to Lynderton, and see what he has to say for himself." - -In the meantime he danced with Lucy and Mabel, and two or three other -young ladies, for although it had been the custom for a gentleman to -confine himself to the same partner during the whole of the evening, the -foreign officers had managed to break through it, and thus to divide -their attentions more generally among the fair sex. At length the -_fete_ came to an end. Everybody declared it was delightful. Harry saw -Lady Tryon into her carriage, and saying that he would walk home, went -back to pay his adieus to the ladies. Mabel looked more beautiful than -ever, and gave him a smile which made him feel very happy. - -"By-the-bye," said the Colonel, drawing him aside, "if you ever have an -`affair of honour,' you must promise to ask me to be your second. -Remember I am an old soldier, and you could not have a better man. I -must exact this promise." - -Harry felt very foolish. He did not know how he looked. He could not -help suspecting that the Colonel knew his secret; yet "how could he have -known it?" The Colonel, however, would not let him go till he had -passed his word. - -"Perhaps I may have to call upon you sooner than you expect, sir," he -said; "really, these foreigners try one's temper." - -"Perhaps you don't understand the foreigners, Harry," he said, in a -good-natured tone. "However, good-night;" and the old officer returned -chuckling into the drawing-room. - -Harry hurried on. He had seen the Baron de Ruvigny leave the house but -a short time before, and he expected soon to catch him up. He was not -disappointed. The moon shone brightly. He knew the baron's figure, and -saw him a little way ahead in company with several other officers. - -Harry soon overtook them, and walking up to the side of the young baron, -touched him on the shoulder. - -"We had a little affair to settle the other day, baron," said Harry. - -The young baron hesitated. - -"I was labouring under a mistake. I confess it," he answered. "Colonel -Everard has spoken to me, and has made me promise not to carry the -matter further. I did not consider that you had a right to interfere, -and I was, therefore, angry. I tender you my apology." - -Harry hesitated a moment. Was it generosity or cowardice which made the -young baron act in this way? "It is the first, I am sure," thought -Harry. "I accept your apology gladly," he answered. - -The young men shook hands and walked on side by side, both probably -feeling much happier than they did before. They might, to be sure, have -caused some sensation in the place had they fought; but even had one of -them been killed, the event would probably have been no more than a -"nine days' wonder," and even his most intimate acquaintance would soon -have ceased to mourn. The two after this became fast friends. - -The baron especially had many interesting adventures to relate, -especially those he had undergone in escaping from France--"La belle -France!" as he still called his native country. - -CHAPTER SEVEN. - -A FAREWELL VISIT.--SAD END OF A FESTIVE SCENE. - -Mabel Everard and Harry Tryon stood together under the shade of the -wide-spreading trees which extended their boughs over the edge of the -large lake in Stanmore Park watching a couple of graceful swans which -glided noiselessly by across the mirror-like surface of the water. - -"I have come to wish you good-bye, Mabel," said Harry, and his voice -trembled slightly. "Lady Tryon insists on my accompanying her to -London, and I cannot refuse to obey her. It is time, and she says truly -that I should choose a profession; but which can I choose? I should -have preferred going to sea some years ago, but I am getting too old for -that, and though I have no objection to the army, yet it would take me -away for years, perhaps for long years, Mabel, and that I could not -stand." - - -He looked affectionately into her face as he spoke. - -"I should not wish you to go, Harry," she answered in a low voice, "and -yet I know that it is right and manly to have a profession. I should -not like you to be in any better, yet it is so full of dangers that I -should be very miserable." - -"No, I see, I must live in the country and turn farmer," said Harry, as -if a bright idea had struck him. "I have always been told that Lady -Tryon is sure to leave me all her property, and that must be sufficient -for all my wishes. However, when I go to London I will try and learn -what profession is likely to suit me. I certainly don't wish to be -idle; and the thought of winning you, and making a home fit for your -reception, will stimulate me to exertion." - -"I shall be glad if it does." - -A boat was moored near where they stood. Harry proposed to row Mabel -round the lake. They looked very interesting as they two sat in the -boat, Harry rowing, and Mabel smiling and talking cheerfully, -occasionally catching at a water-lily. - -They talked of Lucy. The theme was a sad one. Since the day of the -_fete_ she had never been well. There was a colour in her cheek and a -brightness in her eye, which alarmed her aunt. She communicated her -fears to Mabel. - -"But dear Lucy does not consider that she is in any danger, or she would -not urge my uncle to have the ball next week." - -"Perhaps your aunt is unduly alarmed," said Harry, "Lucy seems in such -spirits that I cannot suppose there is any danger. I was in a great -fright at first, thinking that Lady Tryon would insist on going to -London before the ball, but I am thankful to say she consents to stay -till it is over. There is only one thing I don't like in these balls. -I say, Mabel, you must not let those French officers flirt too much with -you. They are marquises and barons, to be sure; but after all, except -their pay, they have nothing to bless themselves with. Somehow or -other, I never can like a foreigner as much as an Englishman." - -"That is rather hard upon papa," said Mabel, looking up. "You know his -mother was a foreigner. Did you not know that she was French? -Grandpapa married, when he was a very young man, just as he was a -lieutenant, a French lady. She, too, was very young and very pretty." - -"That I am sure she must have been," said Harry, looking up at Mabel. - -"The story is a very sad one. Poor mamma died, I believe, when I was -born, and grandpapa had just time to carry away his boy to England, and -to place me with Aunt Ann, when he was obliged to go to sea. The little -I know of the early history of our family I have learnt from Aunt Ann." - -They were nearing the shore when they heard a voice hailing them from -the spot from which they set out. They soon reached a landing-place. A -fine officer-like looking man was standing near it. Mabel sprang out -and threw herself into his arms. - -"Oh! papa, you have come back without giving us warning. Oh! dear, dear -papa, how happy you have made me!" - -Captain Digby Everard returned his daughter's embrace. He looked -inquiringly at Harry, whom he did not recognise. - -"This is Harry Tryon," she said. "You remember him as a boy; but he has -grown a good deal since then." The Captain smiled. - -"I am very happy to renew my acquaintance with him," he said, holding -out his hand, "and I am glad to see so accomplished an oarsman: it is a -pity that he has not been bred to the sea. However, perhaps it is not -too late. Lord Cochrane did not go afloat till he was as old as Harry -is, and he has already made a name for himself." - -The Captain and his daughter walked on towards the house, she leaning on -his arm, and looking up, ever and anon, into his face as he spoke -affectionately to her. - -Harry, thinking that the Captain might consider him intrusive, made his -adieus to Mabel and her father. - -"Aunt Ann will want you to help her in preparing for the entertainment," -said Mabel, as she shook hands with him. - -"And I should be happy to become better acquainted with you," added the -Captain, warmly shaking him by the hand. - -Harry was becoming very popular in the neighbourhood: a good-looking -young man, with apparently ample means, is certain to be so, if he is -tolerably well behaved in other respects. People do not pry too closely -into the character of youths of good fortune. Harry, however, was -unexceptionable. The banker and some of the tradesmen of Lynderton -might have had their suspicions that Lady Tryon would not "cut up" as -well as was expected; but as they had had no quarrel with her grandson, -they did not allow this idea to go forth to his detriment. Harry, -therefore, dined as frequently out as at home. Indeed, the attractions -of Ayleston Hall were not very great, to his taste. - -One day, however, she insisted upon his remaining and taking a -_tete-a-tete_ dinner with her. Her eyes were weak, and she wanted him -to read to her afterwards a new tale by Miss Burney. To that he had no -objection. It was very romantic, and suited his humour. - -"Well, Harry, you must make your fortune some day by a wife," said the -worldly old lady, "and really if you succeed with that pretty girl, -Mabel Everard, you will do well. Under some circumstances I might not -have encouraged it; but as it is, I have an idea: you know Lucy's mother -died of consumption, and if Lucy dies the Captain becomes his uncle's -heir." - -"But my mother died of consumption," answered Harry, who hated the -thought of being mercenary; "I hope Lucy may live, and that I may have -the means of making a fortune to support a wife whenever I marry." - -"Silly boy, fortunes are not so easily made," said the old lady, in a -voice which sounded somewhat harsh to Harry's ear. "If you don't marry -a fortune, there will probably be poverty and beggary in store for you. -They are the most dreadful things in my opinion in this life. Be a wise -lad, Harry, and try and win Mabel. You don't mean to say, boy, that you -have no wish to marry her?" - -Harry hesitated to acknowledge his love to his grandmother. The old -lady's manner did not encourage confidence. Instinctively he mistrusted -her. The old lady eyed him narrowly. - -"Take my advice, and be attentive to the girl. If you follow it I shall -be well pleased; if not, I shall act accordingly. Or perhaps when you -go to London you would like to be introduced to your cousins, the -Coppinger girls. There are a good many of them, I believe, but I have -kept up no intercourse for some years past with my worthy brother -Stephen. Indeed, he and I have different notions on most subjects. -However, if there is anything to be gained, I should have no objection -to call on my nieces. He is very rich, I am told, and will probably -divide his fortune between them. Still, though our family is a good -one, as he has always lived in the city, a daughter of his cannot bring -you the county influence and credit which you would derive from such a -girl as Mabel Everard." - -Harry seldom acted the hypocrite. He did so, however, on this occasion. -He should be very happy to become acquainted with his fair cousins, and -he did not for a moment deny the attractions of Mabel Everard, or the -advantages which might accrue, should he be fortunate enough to win her -hand. - -The old lady, with all her acuteness, did not quite understand her -grandson. On this occasion, however, she read his mind better than -usual. Had he been perfectly frank she might have doubted him, but now -that he attempted to compete with her in hypocrisy, she read him through -and through. - -"Why the lad thinks of marrying that little girl," she thought to -herself, "and unless her father should marry again, she will be one of -the chief heiresses of the county, should her cousin die." - -The intended ball was to be the largest which had yet taken place at -Stanmore, and Lucy especially wished for it. It was her birthday, and -the Colonel could deny her nothing. Besides, Captain Everard had come -home, and it would help to do him honour. Not only was all the -neighbourhood asked, but people from all parts of the county. The house -was to be full. As it was originally a hunting lodge, the outbuildings -were very extensive, and could hold all the carriages and horses of the -numerous guests. People do not mind packing tolerably close on such -occasions. There was a long range of rooms in one of the wings for -bachelors, and another similar range where a vast number of young ladies -could be put up, with their attendant waiting-maidens. The new -dining-hall, in which the dancing was to take place, was very extensive. -It was to be ornamented with wreaths of flowers, and numerous bracket -lights on the walls. The chandeliers were looked upon as wonderful -specimens of art, though greatly surpassed by those of later years. A -considerable number of guests who came from a distance arrived the day -before. Lucy and Mabel had exerted themselves, especially in preparing -the wreaths, and running about the house all the day assisting their -aunt. Harry, of course, had been summoned over to help, and so had the -Baron de Ruvigny. - -Harry had got over his jealousy of the young Frenchman, with regard to -Mabel. He saw, indeed, that the Baron's attentions were devoted -exclusively to Lucy. He was certainly in love with her; of that there -appeared no doubt. - -The Colonel invited Harry to stop to dinner. It was more hurried than -usual, because Lucy insisted that they should have dancing after it, to -practise for the next day. Those were primitive days. Lynderton -boasted of but one public conveyance, denominated the Fly, though it -seldom moved out of a snail's pace, except when the driver was somewhat -tipsy, and hurrying back to obtain a second fare. Harry had been sent -round a short time before dinner to invite several maiden ladies, with -one or two other dames who were not able to attend the ball the -following day, while three or four of the foreign officers had received -an intimation that they would be welcome. - -Dinner over, and the tables cleared away, the gay young party began -tripping it merrily to the music of harpsichord, violin, and flageolet, -played by the foreign officers. Lucy appeared in excellent health and -spirits, in spite of the fatigue she had gone through in the morning. -No one danced more eagerly or lightly after the first country dance. -She and the young Baron stood up to perform their proposed minuet: every -one remarked how lovely she looked, and how gracefully she moved. -People forgot to watch the slides and bows of the young Frenchman; at -least, some of the guests did, though he was rewarded for his exertions -by the evident admiration of several of the young ladies. - -"That young Tryon, who is dancing with Mabel Everard, considering he is -an Englishman, acquits himself very well indeed," observed the Dowager -Countess of Polehampton, eyeing the young couple through her glass. "If -any creature could make a man dance, Mabel Everard would do so. Do you -admire her or her cousin most?" - -"Really, your ladyship, they are both fine girls; it is difficult to -decide between them," answered Sir John Frodsham, an old beau who -faithfully danced attendance on the Countess. "If I were a young man I -might be called upon to decide the question, and then I should certainly -have voted in favour of the heiress; but now Lady Frodsham puts that out -of my power." - -"Oh, fie! Sir John, you men are all the same, money carries off the -palm with young and old alike." - -Harry meantime was enjoying his dance with Mabel, caring very little -what the Countess of Polehampton or Sir John Frodsham might say of him. - -During that evening more than one could not help remarking the rich -colour and the sparkling eyes of the heiress of Stanmore. Never had she -looked so lovely; indeed, generally she carried off the palm from her -cousin. The dance continued, the amateur musicians exerting themselves -to the utmost; and everybody declared that if the present impromptu -little party went off so well, that of the next day must be a great -success. The Colonel was seated at the end of the room, paying -attention to his more elderly guests, and occasionally saying a pleasant -word or two to the young ones. Madam Everard kept moving about and -acting the part of an attentive hostess. Frequently her nieces assisted -her, when not actually engaged in dancing. There was a question to be -decided as to what dance should next take place. - -"Where is Lucy?" exclaimed Madam Everard, looking round. Lucy had left -the room; some minutes passed, and she did not return. Madam Everard -became anxious. Mabel was again dancing, or she would have sent her to -look for her cousin. Madam Everard hastened from the ball-room; she -went up-stairs, and met a servant by the way. - -"Miss Everard went up into her room some time ago." - -Madam Everard hastened forward, telling the maid to follow. - -The door was slightly open. There was no sound in the room--a lamp -burned on the table; Madam Everard's heart sank with dread. She looked -round. Stretched on the floor lay her beloved niece in her gay ball -dress, her countenance like marble, and blood flowing from her lips! - -"She breathes, she breathes!" she said; and she and the maid lifted her -on to the bed. - -She had broken a blood-vessel. Madam Everard knew that at a glance: -Lucy's mother had done the same. - -"Dr. Jessop must be sent for immediately;" but Madam Everard did not -wish to give the alarm to the rest of the guests. She would let the -visitors depart, and allow those who were to remain in the house to go -to their rooms before the sad intelligence was conveyed to them. She -did all that could be done, and applied such restoratives as she -believed would be effectual. - -Immediately Paul Gauntlett threw himself on horseback, and galloped off -to fetch Dr. Jessop. He would not even stop to put a saddle on the -horse's back, and would have gone off with the halter. - -Meantime Lucy returned to consciousness, and declared that she did not -feel ill, only somewhat tired, and would like to go to sleep. The -guests shortly began to take their departure. The maid-servants of the -maiden ladies came with their pattens and hoods, and big cloaks, some -with huge umbrellas in addition. There were footmen and footboys also, -with many-coloured liveries, carrying huge stable lanterns to light -their mistresses. They were generally employed in the service of the -dowagers. The Fly was in requisition, but only for a select few. - -As the guests came down-stairs, the foreign officers stood in the hall, -occasionally making themselves useful, by assisting to put on the -ladies' hoods, cloaks, or shawls. - -The young Baron de Ruvigny alone lingered. He had seen Lucy leave the -room, and he became anxious, finding that she did not return. He asked -the Colonel where she was. Just then a maid-servant came down with a -message from Madam Everard, requesting Colonel Everard to come to his -daughter's room. - -"What is the matter?" asked the young Baron of the servant, as the -Colonel hurried off. - -"Our mistress is very ill, very ill indeed, and I fear there's no hope -of her recovery," answered the girl. - -The young Baron entreated that he might be allowed to remain till the -doctor had seen her. - -Paul had found Dr. Jessop at home. He accompanied him back at full -speed. He looked very grave after he had seen Miss Lucy. - -"I should like my friend Dr. Musgrave to see her. If the skill of any -man can avail, I am sure that his will, but it would take two days to -get him down here, and this is a case demanding immediate remedies." - -Paul Gauntlett had come in with the doctor, and was waiting outside Miss -Lucy's room to hear his opinion. - -"I will do it, sir!" he exclaimed, "if you will tell me where Dr. -Musgrave is to be found; I will be off and bring him down as soon as -possible." - -"Stay, friend," said Dr. Jessop; "while you are taking some refreshment -and getting your horse ready, I will write out a state of the case, and -if Dr. Musgrave cannot come he will send by you such remedies as he may -consider efficacious." - -Paul scarcely liked the delay. He would have started on the back of the -first horse he could lead out of the stable without thinking of food for -himself. Within ten minutes he was galloping along through the forest. -He could get to Redbridge, and Southampton, and so on to Winchester -before daybreak. He could there get a fresh horse. He would distance -any post-chaise; he was sure of that. He had left orders to have a -fresh horse brought on for him to Southampton. He resolved not to waste -a moment till he had brought the remedy for his dear Miss Lucy. His -horse carried him nobly; he seemed to be aware that it was a matter of -life and death. Paul had been with his master in London on several -occasions. He knew the road, and being an old campaigner, without -difficulty found his way to the doctor's house. The doctor was out -visiting patients. Paul fretted and fumed more than he had ever done in -his life before. The servant was disposed to shut the door in his face, -and send him to an inn. - -"That will not do, master," said Paul; "I must wait here till the doctor -comes back, and you must put up my horse, and rub him down, and feed him -well. It's a matter of life and death;" and Paul expatiated on the -youth and beauty and gentle disposition of his young mistress, till the -tears rolled down his cheek, and he almost made the doctor's somewhat -morose butler weep with him. - -"Oh, sir, sir, can you save her?" he exclaimed, handing Dr. Jessop's -note to Dr. Musgrave, when he came back. "It's impossible that so young -and sweet a creature as Miss Lucy should be allowed to die. It cannot -be, sir; it cannot be; it would break the Colonel's heart, and mine, -too." - -CHAPTER EIGHT. - -THE YOUNG HEIRESS.--HARRY COMES OUT IN LONDON NOT UNDER THE BEST OF -AUSPICES. - -Mr. Musgrave threw himself into his arm-chair, and crossing his legs, -with a frown of thought on his brow, looked over Dr. Jessop's notes. "I -will go down to-morrow," he said, turning to Paul, who stood before him -eagerly watching his countenance, as if he could there read the probable -fate of his beloved young mistress. "I cannot possibly go to-day; I may -be of some use, but it is doubtful. However, I will send a medicine -which may be efficacious, and suggest to Dr. Jessop how he may treat the -young lady." - -"Oh! sir, cannot you come, cannot you save her?" exclaimed Paul, not -understanding what the doctor had said, but only making out that he was -unable to accompany him back. - -"Yes, yes, my friend," answered the doctor, touched by the old soldier's -earnestness, "To-morrow I'll start. I must go in a post-chaise, I -cannot ride express as you do. Now go down, and my man Mumford will -attend to your wants while your horse is fed. In the meantime, I will -look out the medicines, and write a letter to my good friend Dr. Jessop. -Will that satisfy you? Now do go, my good man, do go." - -Paul could with difficulty get down any food, but at the same time his -experience told him that when work was to be done the body must be fed. - -He thought the doctor was a long time in concocting the medicine, but -hoped that it would be more efficacious in consequence. - -When once mounted, with the medicine in a case slung at his back, he did -not spare his speed. His only fear was falling. A horse had been sent -on to Winchester to meet him. He exchanged it for his tired steed. -Winchester was soon passed through and Southampton reached. Shortly -after leaving the latter place, he encountered Harry Tryon, with a led -horse, coming to meet him. He mounted it gladly, for his own was -already tired, and together they galloped back through the forest. - -Harry was afraid that Miss Lucy was worse. At all events, they were -anxiously looking out for the doctor or his remedies. The Colonel met -them at the hall-door steps. His face was very grave and anxious. He -was disappointed at not seeing the doctor, but eagerly took the case of -medicines. - -"Paul, you saved my life once, and by God's providence you may be the -means of paving my daughter's. His will be done, whatever happens." - -Dr. Jessop was in attendance. The remedies sent by the London doctor -were administered, but Lucy was very weak. Harry asked Dr. Jessop what -he thought. - -"My boy, doctors at all times must not express their thoughts," he -answered, evasively. "Miss Everard is young, and youth is a great thing -in a patient's favour. Remember that, and make a good use of yours -while you enjoy it." - -The guests with sad hearts took their departure. The long-expected ball -was not to be. Messages were sent round to the residents in the -neighbourhood, informing them that the ball was put off, but in the -evening several who had not heard of what had occurred arrived at the -door. The Colonel went down to speak to them himself. It was with -difficulty he could command his voice, for he saw, with the eye of -affection, that his beloved daughter was struck by the hand of death. -Among others, a party of foreign officers arrived from a neighbouring -town. Captain Everard begged his uncle that he might be allowed to go -and speak to them. Refreshments had been placed for those who might -come from a distance, and they were accordingly invited in. They were -gentlemanly men, and Captain Everard received them as a man of the -world. Having mentioned the serious illness of Miss Everard, he at once -turned the conversation to other subjects. Among the guests, he saw one -whose face was familiar; he looked at him again and again, and was -trying to consider where he had seen him. The officer at length became -aware that Captain Everard's eyes were fixed on him. - -"Surely we have met before," said the latter. "Was it not at Toulon?" -A deep melancholy came over the foreigner's countenance. - -"It may be, for I was there once," he answered; "would that I had died -there, too; but my life was saved by a brave English officer, who, at -the risk of his own, carried me away amid showers of musketry poured -down upon us by my countrymen, and amidst exploding ships, and masses of -burning ruin which showered down upon our heads. Tell me, sir, are you -that officer? for as you know well, my mind was unhinged by the dreadful -events of that night, and though I have a dim recollection of his -features, if you are he, you will recollect that I had scarcely -recovered when he was compelled to send me to the hospital." - -"Yes, indeed," cried Captain Everard, "I had the satisfaction of saving -the life of a French officer in the way you describe. Captain Rochard, -I understood, was his name, and although he remained several weeks in my -cabin, all that time he was scarcely conscious of what was taking place -around him." - -"Yes, yes, I am the very man," exclaimed the foreign officer, rising -from his seat, and taking Captain Everard's hand in his own. "Let me -now express my gratitude to you, which I was at that time unable to do. -I have since then lived a chequered and adventurous life, and though I -dare not contemplate the past, I feel that there is still pleasure and -satisfaction to be found in the present. While a spark of hope remains -in the bosom of a man, he cannot desire death." - -The other officers seemed much interested at the meeting between their -friend and the English captain. Captain Rochard, they said, had joined -them, and one or two had known him formerly when he was in the French -marine, and they were convinced that he would do credit to their corps. - -Harry Tryon had come to the house twice before in the day to inquire for -Lucy; he now returned with the Baron de Ruvigny, who really looked -dejected and almost heartbroken at the illness of the young lady. Harry -had exchanged a few words with Mabel; they were parting words, so we -must not too curiously inquire into what was said. He had been, -however, anxious to remain a few days longer, but Lady Tryon insisted on -setting off the next day for London. He once more rejoined the Baron at -the hall-door. He found him standing with the foreign officers, whom he -had invited to spend the rest of the evening at Lynderton. Harry was of -course asked to join the party. Captain Everard was parting from them -at the hall-door, and as the light fell on Captain Rochard's features -Harry was sure that he was an old acquaintance. Captain Rochard dropped -a little behind his companions as they walked down the avenue, and Harry -took this opportunity of addressing him. - -"We have met before, Captain Falwasser," said Harry; "I am sure that I -am not mistaken, and you were very kind to me on one occasion when I was -a boy." - -"Ah!" answered the Captain, with a start, "that was my name; I will not -deny it; that is to say, it was my name for a time, and it may be my -name again; but at present I must beg you will know me as Captain -Rochard, the friend of your relative--is he not?--Captain Everard." - -"I will be careful to obey your wishes, Captain Rochard," said Harry; -"but Captain Everard is not a relative." - -Harry felt himself blushing as he said this, for he certainly hoped that -he might be so some day. Harry felt very curious to know who this -Captain Rochard could possibly be. He had known him, apparently, as the -commander of a smuggler; now he found him in the character of a military -officer. "Perhaps, after all, he may be neither one nor the other," -thought Harry; "there is a peculiarly commanding and dignified air about -him." - -The evening was spent very pleasantly, for although the young Baron was -sad at heart, he endeavoured to overcome his feelings, for the sake of -entertaining his guests, and music and pleasant conversation made the -hours pass rapidly away. The officers of the foreign legion had neither -the inclination nor the means of imitating the example of British -military officers, who at that time, and on such an occasion, would have -spent the evening in a carouse. A few glasses of lemonade was probably -the extent of the entertainment afforded by the host, or expected by the -guests. - -The next morning Harry found himself on the box of Lady Tryon's coach, -rumbling away towards London. Her lady's-maid was inside. The footman -sat on the box with Harry. Even the beautiful forest scenery through -which they passed failed to raise Harry's spirits. He was constantly -looking back in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the chimneys of -Stanmore; not that he could really have seen them, by-the-bye, but his -heart flew, at all events, in the direction of his eye. He thought, -too, of dear sweet Lucy lying on her sick-bed, too likely, he feared, to -prove her death-bed. - -The road was none of the best in those days, and Harry and the footman -had often to get off and help the carriage along. This was a relief, -however. They each had a brace of pistols, and a blunderbuss was strung -at the back of the box. Harry, however, had a strong suspicion that -Simon, the footman, would be very unwilling to use it, even in defence -of the matured charms of Miss Betsy Frizzle, her ladyship's much -suffering and much enduring handmaiden. Sometimes the journey occupied -three days, but her ladyship was in a hurry, and her carriage being -unusually light, and the roads in tolerably good order, they were only -to sleep one night on the road. - -Harry had been so constantly away from home for the last few days, that -he had had no conversation with his grandmother. As they were seated at -tea in their inn, the old lady again spoke of his marriage with Mabel. - -"I told you, Harry, that the Colonel's daughter would die. I knew it -long ago. I saw it in her eye, and her voice told me that she was not -to live many years in this world. Thus, mark me, Miss Mabel will become -the mistress of Stanmore. Now, Harry, I intend to leave you all I have -got, so that you may cut a figure in the world. You are like your -father in face and figure, and I love you on that account. He was more -a man of the world than you are, or will ever become, I suspect. Let me -tell you it is an important thing to know the world well. I do, and -have no great respect for it in consequence; but I know how to manage -it, and that's what I want you to do. You will have many opportunities -in London; I must beg that you will not throw them away. You may be the -possessor of a large fortune, and yet unless you know how to manage it, -it may be of little use to you. Many a man, with three or four thousand -a year, does more than others with thirty or forty thousand. I would -have you also, Harry, pay every attention to the wishes of your -guardian, Mr. Kyffin. He is a very respectable man, and will probably -save money, and as far as I can learn, as he has no other relations of -his own, he will undoubtedly leave it to you. Thus I hope that you may -be very well off. Still both Mr. Kyffin and I may live for a good many -years. When he last called for you in London I examined his -countenance, and considered him a remarkably hale and healthy man, while -I myself feel as well as I ever did in my life. However, I don't wish -to think of the time when you will come into my property." - -Harry, of course, begged that the old lady would not think of such an -event, and declared himself ready to enter some profession, by which he -might make himself independent of the expected fortunes of his friends. -He thought that he might like the law. Life in London and in dusty -chambers was not exactly what he had been accustomed to, but still, -where an important object was to be gained, he was ready to submit to -anything. Lady Tryon laughed at the notion. He might certainly eat his -dinners at the Inns of Court and live in dusty chambers, but as to -making anything by so doing, the idea was preposterous. A young fellow -like him, of good family and presentable appearance, must marry an -heiress. He was fit for that, and nothing else. - -Harry saw that there was no use discussing the matter with his -grandmother. He resolved, however, to talk it over with his guardian as -soon as they met. He saw that the old lady had some project in her -head, which she had resolved to keep secret from him. It must be -confessed, he was very glad when her ladyship rang for Betsy Frizzle, -and retired to her room. They arrived next day late in the evening at -Lady Tryon's house, in the middle of ---Street. - -Harry set off the next day to visit Mr. Roger Kyffin, of Hampstead. He -found that the coach ran twice in the day to that far-distant suburb. -It was a pleasant drive, among green fields, here and there a smiling -villa, but otherwise with few buildings. Mr. Kyffin had not come back -from the city when Harry arrived, but his careful housekeeper received -him with every attention, and insisted on his partaking of some of her -preserves and home-made wine, just to give him an appetite for supper, -as of course her master always dined in London. - -At last Mr. Kyffin arrived. He was much pleased with Harry's -appearance. They spent a very pleasant evening. Harry could not help -contrasting the conversation of his guardian with that of his -grandmother--the man of business, so unworldly, and with a heart so full -of warm affection, anxious for the welfare of his fellow-creatures, -while the old lady with one foot in the grave was truly of the earth-- -earthy. Harry did not exactly say as much as this to himself, but he -felt it, notwithstanding. Roger Kyffin was very much pleased to hear of -Harry's wish to enter a profession. "I would not have you decide in a -hurry," he said, "and you must consider for what you are best fitted. -You know that I, as far as I have the power, will help you to the -utmost--on that you may depend. Further than that, Harry, I don't wish -to bias you." Harry slept at Mr. Kyffin's, a pretty little cottage, and -accompanied him the next day back to London. He found that the mornings -hung somewhat heavily on his hands; the evenings, too, were not spent in -a way particularly agreeable to him, as Lady Tryon insisted on his -accompanying her to the routs and other parties she frequented. He had -a dislike to cards, and could never learn to play, so she had not -insisted on his joining her, but she spent the whole of the evening at -the card-table. He saw, however, from the piles of gold placed before -her that she was playing high; how high he could not tell; but very -often she returned home in an unusually bad humour, when he found it -safer to keep silence than to attempt any conversation with her. - -At this time, ladies of fashion, as well as gentlemen, were fearfully -addicted to the vice of gambling. The law was doing its utmost to put -down public hells, but it was unable in general to stop the practice in -private houses, in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining evidence. - -One evening Lady Tryon had been at the house of the Countess of -Buckinghamshire, to which Harry had, very unwillingly, been compelled to -accompany her. As usual, gambling went on, a gentleman of fashion -keeping the faro-table. Harry saw by the expression of his -grandmother's countenance that she was a heavy loser. The more she -lost, the higher stakes she seemed inclined to play for. - -"Let the old lady have her way," he heard a gentleman near whom he was -standing observe, "a little bleeding will do her no harm." - -The Countess's handsome rooms were full of people of rank and fashion. -Tables were scattered about on each side with eager players, some -engaged in cards, others casting the dice, while others stood round -staking considerable sums on the turn of a card or throw of the ivory. -All of them seemed brought together by one absorbing passion, which they -shared with the stockbrokers of Change Alley and the frequenters of the -lowest hells. A few like Harry might have been compelled to go there -against their will--young daughters to attend their mothers, who were -leading them into vice, and a few like Harry who had no money to stake. -As he looked at the group of excited beings with sparkling eyes, the -rouge cheeks of the ladies, with here and there a black patch to hide a -blemish, or to set off the fairness of their skins; the haggard faces of -the men, with their perukes pushed on one side, their lips puckered, -pressed close together, many of them holding the cards with trembling -knees, evidently with one foot in the grave, Harry could not help hoping -that he might never become like one of them, and he longed once more to -be back at Stanmore in the company of Mabel. He thought, too, of her -dying cousin, for the last account which had been received gave no hopes -of her recovery, and every day he expected to hear that she was no more. -He was thankful when at length he received Lady Tryon's commands to -order her coach. She was in a worse humour even than usual. - -"Fortune won't desert me," she said at length, as they were nearing -home; "there's another chance; I intend to purchase some lottery -tickets: they can bring me through, though nothing else can, unless, -Harry, when you marry the little heiress you take care of your old -grand-dame; you owe her something for bringing you up as a gentleman, -for if I had not taken you up you would have been even now a merchant's -clerk in the city! Faugh! that such should be the fate of a grandson of -General Tryon." - -Harry did not venture to remark that her ladyship's brother was a -merchant, and probably had been a merchant's clerk in his younger days; -however, he thought as much. - -CHAPTER NINE. - -PLAYED OUT.--THE LAST THROW. - -Lady Tryon had descended to her drawing-room, to which Harry had been -summoned to receive her commands. He felt greatly disposed to -emancipate himself from his thraldom. "Better a crust of bread and a -cup of cold water than this sort of work," he thought; "yet my -grandmother has brought me up, she is the only relative to whom I owe -obedience; perhaps something will turn up to free me." - -He thought this as he came up from his room. The post arrived at the -same moment. A letter was delivered to him. It was from Mabel, -announcing her cousin's death. She called him her dear Harry, and -concluded with "ever the same." Had he been alone he would have pressed -the letter to his lips; as it was, he merely repeated the more important -part of its contents to his grandmother. Utterly worldly, and devoid of -any higher feeling, the old lady received the news in a heartless way. -She scarcely uttered an expression of regret; indeed, Harry could not -help seeing that she was highly pleased. - -"You must marry the heiress," she said; "you must praise her to Mr. -Kyffin, and I will back you up, and we will see what he can do for you." - -She suddenly seemed to think Harry appeared doubtful as to what he -should do. - -"I tell you, boy, I'll cut you off to a shilling," she said, getting up -and laying her hand on his arm. "You will be a beggar, and a wretched -beggar, if you don't follow my advice. I will not say more; I have said -enough; but remember." - -"Yes, your ladyship has said enough," answered Harry. "I love Mabel too -well to have her for the sake of her fortune, and I have no wish to see -her father die that I may become its possessor." - -"Nonsense, boy!" exclaimed the old lady, in a harsh, shrill voice. -"You're a fool, Harry." - -The unpleasant conversation was interrupted by a servant entering, and -announcing a visitor. - -"Mr. Flockton, who is he?" asked Harry, as he looked at the card. - -"I know him; I am glad he has come," said Lady Tryon; "it will save me a -long drive into the city." - -As she spoke, a middle-aged gentleman in fashionable costume entered the -room. He was a somewhat short man, broadly built, with regular -features, and a shining bald forehead, from which his lightly-powdered -hair was completely drawn off, and fastened behind in a pigtail. The -expression of his countenance was bland, with an apparently candid -manner, a smile showing his fine white teeth; and an air of nonchalance, -though rather evidently the result of artificial politeness than of -natural courtesy or good breeding. He bowed with a flourish of his hat -to Lady Tryon, and gave a familiar nod to the young gentleman as he sank -back in the seat placed for him by the servant. Lady Tryon had had some -previous transactions with Mr. Flockton, who was the great lottery -contractor. It was part of his business to know everybody, as well as -their private concerns, in all parts of the United Kingdom. Many was -the lady of rank, a merchant's or a shopkeeper's wife in London, with -whom Mr. Flockton had managed to scrape acquaintance, but his chief -constituents were among the great masses of society that underlie the -noble and the wealthy. His baits and nets lay ready for fish of the -smallest size, also, many who could with difficulty raise the sum of 1 -pound 11 shillings 6 pence, whereby a sixteenth share of the 20,000 -pound prize might by two lucky turns of the wheel of fortune be gained. -He caught others by half and even whole tickets at various prices. In -country inns Mr. Flockton's advertisements were found fastened up among -the political ballads on the walls of the public rooms. They were often -circulated by the same book-hawkers who supplied the vast numbers of -tracts and verses then published on "The rights of man," and "Liberty, -Equality, and Fraternity," advocated by the French Revolutionists and -the English Jacobins. In every manufacturing town and district they -came round with parcels of goods and patterns, and were eagerly read by -workpeople and masters alike. They circulated in the servants' halls, -even before they were read in the oak parlours and cedar galleries of -the granges and lordly castles of the land, and many a poor clergyman -dreamed of education for his boys and portions for his girls from the -result of a lottery ticket. - -"I have called, your ladyship, to bring the ten lottery tickets you -desired to possess. A cheque on your bankers will pay me for them, and -it is my belief that you will find that one of them brings you the great -prize. Perhaps this young gentleman would like to take two or three, a -mere trifle will give him every prospect of a large sum, and should your -ladyship miss it, he would have a greater chance of gaining the prize. -What does your ladyship say? Surely you have balance at your bankers' -sufficient to buy fifty tickets, and, in my opinion, the wisest people -will buy the most; the more bought, the greater the chance of success." - -Lady Tryon was for a moment silent. She recollected too well that on -the previous night she had not only lost every shilling which she had at -her bankers', but a considerable sum above it; not only that, but she -had raised large sums at different times of late, which if she paid the -principal would absorb the whole of her property. Should she pay her -debts of honour, or buy the lottery tickets? Mr. Flockton's confident -and glowing descriptions decided her on the latter course. When she got -the lottery prize she would satisfy the debts she had incurred at cards. -She took the tickets Mr. Flockton offered, giving him a cheque, which -left her scarcely more that 50 pounds at her bankers'. Her greatest -annoyance arose from her thus being unable to indulge in gambling till -the day for drawing the lottery. Mr. Flockton handing the tickets to -her ladyship, and buttoning up the cheque, took his departure. - -Scarcely had he gone, when a servant entered with an announcement that a -person of a very suspicious appearance desired to see her ladyship. "I -told him, my lady, that you were engaged, but he would take no denial." - -Lady Tryon, who was constitutionally brave, having Harry by her side, -desired that the man might be shown up. He entered the room with a -confident air, though perfectly respectful, and presented an -official-looking document. - -"Why, it's to summon me to Bow Street police-office for gambling!" -exclaimed Lady Tryon. "What is this? Are ladies and gentlemen not to -be allowed to amuse themselves if they think fit?" - -"I have nothing to do with that, my lady," answered the man, "I have -delivered the summons; this young gentleman and your servant are witness -to that; the hour is mentioned on the paper. I've done my duty, I wish -your ladyship good-morning." - -"Fearful impertinence!" exclaimed Lady Tryon. "What is the country -coming to? Ladies of rank to be treated like criminals, and ordered -about at the pleasure of police magistrates!" - -Harry was naturally considerably annoyed, at the same time he could not -forget the scene of the previous evening, and he had heard that some -very just enactments had lately been passed to put a stop to gambling, -both public and private. - -"I will go instead of you," he said, "if that will answer." - -"No, I must go myself," she said, looking at the paper through her -spectacles. "Fearful _impertinence_ of these people! Horrible -indignity to be subjected to!" - -At the time appointed Lady Tryon drove up to the police-office. Several -carriages were already there, their occupants fashionably-dressed -ladies. Lady Tryon recognised them as her acquaintances, with whom she -had played at Lady Buckinghamshire's. The gentleman who had acted as -_croupier_, and kept the faro-table, was among them. They entered -together, looking very hot and very indignant; they were accommodated -with seats while the evidence was read. The witnesses against them were -two servants, who had been dismissed from her ladyship's service, and -had taken these means to revenge themselves. As these ladies of rank -had no excuse to offer, and could not deny the charge, they were each -fined 50 pounds, while the keeper of the table, a gentleman of fashion, -had to pay 200 pounds as a punishment for his transgression of the law. - -Lady Tryon drove back in even a worse temper than usual. The 50 pounds -she was to pay was the remainder of the balance at her banker's. She -was now literally penniless unless her lottery tickets should turn up -prizes. The eventful day of the drawing was looked forward to, not only -by her, but by thousands more, with intense anxiety. At length it -arrived. Harry set forth with his grandmother in her carriage. The -evening before she had sent for the doctor, and procured a quieting -potion. In truth she required it, for she looked very ill and excited. -Harry saw her maid, by her directions, put into the pocket of the -carriage two or three small bottles. - -"They are little draughts which I may require, Harry, to keep me up. I -am an old woman, you know, and my nerves are not as strong as they used -to be." - -They drove on. The crowd increased as they proceeded westward, towards -Guildhall. The great drawing was to take place there. - -"We are certain, Harry, to obtain a prize; if not the 20,000 pound -prize, a smaller one, at all events, and that will enable me to purchase -a few more tickets for another lottery, or to set me up at the -card-table again. If I get the 20,000 pound prize you shall have 1,000 -pounds, I will promise you, to cut a figure with in town, and then to go -down and marry pretty Mabel Everard. Ah, Harry! you are a fortunate -fellow to have such a kind old grandmother as I am, and to be loved by -such a sweet girl as Mabel. I know your secret; she loves you, you -rogue, and you have only to ask her, and she will marry you at once. I -can manage her father; he is a good-natured, easy man, and has a great -respect for me." - -Thus Lady Tryon ran on; but she could not long keep her thoughts from -the hope of the prize. As they passed by Saint Paul's they found a -dense crowd: every moment it increased. Besides a long string of -carriages there were numberless people on foot: not only those who -possessed tickets, and those who had ensured them, but the friends of -the holders, and also many idlers who came to see the drawing, and not a -few who were there to prey on the unwary, and pick their pockets -literally and metaphorically. As much time would have been lost had the -carriage attempted to reach Guildhall, Lady Tryon alighted in Cheapside, -and leaning on the arm of her grandson, walked with eager steps towards -the renowned hall. Harry felt her arm tremble as she hung heavily on -his; but not a word did she utter. All her thoughts and feelings were -absorbed in the prospect of the prize she hoped to obtain. Had he known -more than he did, he would have understood how much hung upon it. - -CHAPTER TEN. - -PRIZE OR BLANK? - -As they entered at the farther end of the vast hall, where civic _fetes_ -and feasts were wont to take place, and the huge figures of Gog and -Magog looked forth from their pedestals, it was already crowded. On -either side were low galleries; one devoted to ladies, the other to -gentlemen, while the centre was filled with a mixed multitude of every -degree, among whom it was very evident that the pickpockets were already -busy. All were looking up towards the farther end, where a large stage -was erected. In the centre was a table, at which sat several grave -personages--the commissioners of the lottery; while on either side were -two large circular cases or wheels, in front of each of which stood a -Bluecoat boy, from Christ's Hospital, with the sleeves of their coats -turned up. In front of the table were several clerks engaged in noting -the proceedings of the day. At either end of the table stood a man, who -with a loud voice cried forth the names of the numbers which were drawn -at each turn of the wheel by the Bluecoat boys. - -Lady Tryon pushed her way forward in the gallery that she might be as -near as possible to the table. Harry had to leave her. He went round -into the centre space, and stood under the part of the gallery where she -at length found a seat. With trembling hands, Lady Tryon sat with the -numbers of her tickets before her. She kept those also which she -professed to give to Harry. As the numbers were loudly proclaimed a -change came over the countenance of the eager spectators. When the -tickets turned up blanks a look of satisfaction beamed on the faces of -all, except the unhappy holder of the number, whereas when a prize was -announced, each one present felt that his or her chance was lessened of -obtaining the wished-for wealth. Sometimes a _groan_ of despair -succeeded the drawing of a number. To purchase that number yon wretched -man has been hoarding perhaps for months past, nearly starving himself -and those dependent on him, or may be he has been robbing his employer, -intending to repay when he should become the possessor of the mighty -prize which has been the dream of his midday thoughts and nightly -slumbers for so many weeks past. Occasionally, at small intervals, -shouts arose from a small group--they had divided the sixteenth part of -a ticket among them, and it had turned up a prize. They might be seen -shaking hands and laughing strangely, and running into each other's -arms, as their feelings prompted them. Too probably, however, the -greater part of the amount would be spent in other tickets, to turn up -blanks. A young man was there standing near Harry with haggard -countenance, his eager eye fixed on the wheels. A number was cried out. -He gazed at a paper before him and ran out, frantically striding his -forehead. A pistol shot was heard outside the hall, but the sound -scarcely moved one of the eager crowd. Harry afterwards heard that the -young man had shot himself, utterly ruined. Such has been the fate of -many a man after losing his all at a gambling-house. Such in reality -was the use to which the Guildhall of London was at that time put. As -the numbers were called out, Harry guessed by the expression of Lady -Tryon's countenance that one after the other of those she held in her -hand had turned up blanks. Even the rouge on her cheeks could not -conceal the deadly pallor which was creeping over her countenance. Her -hands trembled more and more. She dropped paper after paper. At length -she held but one in her hand. Some hours had already passed since they -entered the hall: no wonder that she was fatigued. Each time another -number was called out she glanced at her paper. And now, in the same -indifferent voice as before, the crier announced another number. A -piercing shriek was heard. - -"The old lady has fainted!" cried some of the females in the gallery -near her, and Harry saw his grandmother falling back from her chair. - -"Help! help!" was cried. "She is dying!" - -He made his way to the gallery and lifted her in his arms. Her head -fell helplessly down; her hands drooped. One hand still grasped the -paper which had been declared a blank. Not one of those females, most -of them ladies of rank and supposed sensibility, offered him the -slightest assistance. Their numbers had not yet been drawn, and they -would not sacrifice a moment to assist a dying fellow-creature even of -their own station in life. Harry exerted all his strength to get Lady -Tryon out of the gallery. - -"Is there no medical man who will assist me?" he cried out. - -"I will, sir," exclaimed a somewhat foppishly dressed individual, -stepping forward. - -"Stay, beware of him, he is a pickpocket," said a voice near him. - -Harry declined the services of the stranger. - -No medical man came forward. A crowd, however, collected round him, and -even before his eyes he saw the brooch and chains which his grandmother -wore torn off and carried away by nimble fingers, at which he in vain -attempted to grasp. "It matters little," he thought, "she will never -discover her loss." He hoped to be able to carry her to her carriage, -and as the crowd at last made way for him he bore her along the street. -Fortunately he soon caught sight of the livery of her coachman. She was -placed in her carriage, and Harry took his seat by her side, telling the -coachman to stop at the first doctor's shop they came to. The carriage -soon stopped in front of a window full of bright-coloured liquids, and -before Harry had time even to get out, a gentleman bustled up to the -carriage door. - - -"Can I render any professional assistance?" he asked, looking in. - -"Yes," exclaimed Harry; "what can be done for this lady?" - -"Will she step out?" asked the medical practitioner. - -"She is unable, sir," said Harry. - -"Oh! I beg pardon; I will feel her pulse," was the rejoinder. The -apothecary made a long face. - -"Why, do you know, sir, the old lady is dead!" he exclaimed, rather -offended at Harry having brought him out to a dead patient. "I can do -nothing for her, sir." - -"Dead!" exclaimed Harry, with a feeling of horror. "Are you sure that -she is dead?" - -"Never was more sure of a fact in my life, sir. You can send for her -executors and the undertaker when you get home; that is the only advice -I can give you." - -Harry told the coachman to drive on. "But do I not owe you a fee, sir, -for your trouble?" - -"Oh, no, sir, no; that would be too much," said the apothecary, thinking -that he had been too plain-spoken with the young man, who might possibly -be a relative of the old lady, though he was somewhat young to be her -son. - -Harry fortunately recollected Lady Tryon's man of business. He sent for -him, as he did also for Mr. Kyffin. - -"I will leave you still here," said his old friend, who came that very -evening, "and when your grandmother's affairs have been arranged you -must come to my house. I hope that you will find yourself left -comfortably off. Let me entreat you not to be idle, Harry; it is the -very worst employment a man can engage in." Harry shook his head. "I -doubt my being well off," he answered. "We will hope for the best," -said Mr. Kyffin. Harry had good reason for his doubts. Even before his -grandmother's body was placed in her coffin, an execution was put into -the house. Every article in it was seized by her creditors, and even -after all her property had been disposed of, many were still left -unpaid. Harry was literally destitute. For himself he would not have -felt it so much, but it was a cruel thought that he must relinquish all -his hopes of obtaining Mabel. He had, however, one firm friend. - -"My dear boy," said Mr. Kyffin, "this may be, after all, the best thing -that could have happened to you. Had your grandmother left you well off -you might have turned out an idler. I have sufficient influence, I -think, with your relative, Mr. Coppinger, to obtain a situation for you -in his house of business. The very fact that your unhappy grandmother -has deceived you and left you totally unprovided for will weigh greatly -with him." - -Harry wrote immediately to his great-uncle, Mr. Coppinger, and other -relatives, announcing his grandmother's death. The following day the -merchant appeared. He spoke kindly to Harry, and seemed satisfied with -the way he expressed himself. - -"I have seen so little of my sister for so many years that I know -nothing of her affairs," he observed, "but from what you tell me I am -afraid that they are not in a satisfactory condition." - -Harry, at that time, was not aware how utterly his grandmother had -ruined herself. In a very few days, however, the merchant discovered -that his sister had not left sufficient to pay her debts. - -"However, it cannot be helped now. We must have as quiet a funeral as -possible, and the less said about the matter the better. I am not -surprised, as I heard something about her habits; but for you I am -sorry, Harry. However, you are young, and the world is before you. If -you are disposed to work you can make your way, as many an honest steady -man has done, with fewer abilities than you possess, I suspect." - -Harry assured his uncle that he was ready to work, but though he might -have preferred entering the army or navy, he saw now clearly that he -must attempt some career by which he might maintain himself. - -"Well, I will talk the matter over with your friend Mr. Kyffin, and he -will communicate the result to you," said Mr. Coppinger. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The people of Lynderton were greatly disappointed, and considered that -they had a right to complain of Lady Tryon when they discovered that she -was not to be interred in their churchyard with the usual -pomp-and-ceremony of persons of her position. Instead of that, she was -laid to rest in the burying-ground of the parish in which she died. -Still more aggrieved were her creditors when they found they had to -accept only five shillings in the pound, and that they might consider -themselves very fortunate in obtaining that amount. - -Roger Kyffin insisted on his young ward coming to live with him, and as -soon as the creditors had taken charge of the house, Harry Tryon packed -up his small possessions and removed to Hampstead. - -"It is all arranged, Harry," said Mr. Kyffin, the following day; "your -uncle will receive you as a clerk at a salary of 100 pounds a year. It -is a very good one, let me assure you, for a beginner. Many a young man -has to pay a large premium to be admitted into such a house; you may -therefore consider yourself especially fortunate. All you have now to -do is to be punctual, to be ready to do every thing you are required, -and to forward to the utmost of your power your principal's interest. -Exactness is a great thing, and above all, rigidly honourable conduct. -You will not discredit my recommendation, Harry, I feel sure of that." - -CHAPTER ELEVEN. - -"SEEING LIFE IN LONDON." - -Harry accompanied his kind guardian into London the following day, and -was introduced in due form to Mr. Silas Sleech, one of the principal -clerks under Mr. Kyffin, as well as to the other persons engaged in Mr. -Coppinger's counting-house in Idol Lane. - -"You are welcome, Mr. Tryon," said Mr. Sleech, with whom Harry found -himself left for a short time. "I have heard of you before at -Lynderton; indeed, I remember your countenance very well as a boy. You -do not probably recollect me, however. Still you may possibly have -heard the name of my respected father, one of the principal lawyers in -Lynderton. We are a very well-connected family, but we do not boast of -that here. While in this office, we are men of business; we sink every -other character. You understand me, Mr. Tryon, and if you are wise you -will follow my advice. Here I am your superior and director, but -outside this door we are equals, and I hope soon to say, we are -friends." - -Harry watched Mr. Sleech's countenance while he spoke. He did not -particularly like its expression. It was then animated and vivacious -enough, but directly afterwards, when Mr. Kyffin drew near, it assumed a -peculiarly dull and inanimate look, as if he was absorbed completely in -the books over which he was poring. - -Mr. Coppinger himself soon afterwards arrived, and called Harry into his -private room. He spoke to him much in the same way that Mr. Kyffin had -done. - -"You could not be in better hands than those of your guardian," he -observed. "However, as after a time you may grow tired of your daily -walk backwards and forwards to Hampstead, you shall have the room over -the counting-house, and I shall be happy to see you at my house, where -you can become better acquainted with your cousins." - -Harry thanked his uncle for his kindness, and expressed a hope that he -should be attentive to business. The first moment he had time he wrote -to Mabel, telling her of his good fortune in having a situation given -him in Mr. Coppinger's house. He had previously written in a very -different tone, giving an account of his grandmother's death, and the -penury in which she had left him. He had not, however, told Mabel that -he would release her from her engagement to him. While any hope yet -lingered in his bosom he could not bring himself to do that. Now he was -once more in spirits, and he felt sure that fortune would smile on him. -He had never told Mabel that it was very possible Mr. Kyffin might leave -him his property. He had determined never to build on such a -possibility. In the first place, Mr. Kyffin was not an old man, and -might live for many years, or he might have relatives who had claims on -him, or he might not consider it necessary, simply because he was his -ward, to leave him anything. - -What a blessed thing is hope, even in regard to mere mundane matters. -Harry had at this time nothing else to live upon. After all the grand -expectations he had enjoyed, to find himself at last only a merchant's -clerk with 100 pounds a year! Roger Kyffin's society might possibly -have been more improving to Harry than that of his grandmother. At the -same time, after a few weeks, it must be owned that Harry began to wish -for a little change. Roger Kyffin had been in the habit of living a -good deal by himself, and had not many acquaintances in the immediate -neighbourhood. Now and then a few friends came to dine with him, but he -seemed to think it a mark of respect to Harry's grandmother not to see -any society at his house for the first two or three weeks after her -death. - -Mr. Coppinger invited him to dinner the following day. He was to sleep -at the counting-house, where a room had been prepared for him, which he -could occupy whenever he pleased. - -"You may wish to see a little more of London and your friends," said Mr. -Coppinger, "and you can scarcely do so if you go out to Hampstead every -evening." - -Harry of course thanked his uncle for his consideration, and the next, -day prepared with some little interest to pay his respects to his -unknown cousins. - -Although at that time many persons dined early, the custom of late -dinners was being generally introduced. Harry arranged his toilet with -more than usual care, and somewhat before the hour of five took his way -to his uncle's house in Broad Street. It was a handsome mansion. As -Harry knocked, the door flew open, and a couple of livery servants with -powdered hair stood ready to receive him, and take his hat and cloak. -He followed the servant up-stairs, and was ushered into a large -drawing-room. A lady came forward, not very young, according to his -idea, but fair and good-looking, with a somewhat full figure, and a -pleasant expression of countenance. - -"And are you our cousin Harry?" she said, putting out her hand. "Why -did you not come before? We heard about you, and are very glad at last -to make your acquaintance." - -"I scarcely liked to come without my uncle's invitation," said Harry, -"but am very happy to have the opportunity of making his daughter's -acquaintance. I conclude that you are Miss Coppinger." - -"Yes, I am generally so called," answered the young lady, "but I am your -cousin Martha, remember that. You must not be formal with us. My -younger sisters may encourage you to be so, but you must not attend to -their nonsense." - -"I should like to know something about them," said Harry, feeling -himself quite at home with Martha, evidently a kind and sensible woman, -and, as people would say, a bit of a character. - -"That's very sensible in you, Harry," she answered. "Fortunately they -have been all out, and only lately went up to dress, so that I shall -have time to tell you about them. Next to me there is Susan--she is -like me in most respects, and some people take us for twins. However, -she really is two years younger. Then there is Mary. She has only one -fault. She is somewhat sentimental, and too fond of poetry--reads -Cowper and Crabbe, and Miss Burney's novels, half-bound volumes in -marble covers. She sighs over Evelina, and goes into raptures with -Clarissa. She is dark, thin, and slight, not a bit like Susan and me. -Then there is Maria Jane. She is fair and addicted to laughing, and -very good-natured, and not a bit sentimental. Then there is Estella. -Harry, you must take care of her. She is something like Mary, but more -lively and more practical too. Mary lives in an idea of her own: -Estella carries out her romantic notions. Then there is our youngest -sister, Sybella, or baby we always used to call her, but she rather -objects to the appellation. You must find out about her yourself. -There, now you know us all. You are known to us, so you will find -yourself perfectly at home by the time you see us assembled round the -dinner-table. As we have no brothers we shall make a great deal of you, -and take care that you are not spoilt. Above all things, don't fall in -love. You will become hideous and useless if you do. I don't at all -approve of the passion, except when exhibited in gentlemen of -comfortable incomes, nor does papa. I warn you of that, so if you wish -to take advantage of such hospitality as we can afford you--and we -really desire to be kind--you have been cautioned and must act -accordingly." - -Harry cordially thanked Martha for the description of her sisters, and -with perfect sincerity promised to follow her advice. It showed him -that she, at all events, was not aware of his love for Mabel, and though -he thought her a very good-natured woman, he had no intention of making -her his confidant on that matter. - -Harry had soon the opportunity of discovering the correctness of her -description of her sisters. The youngest came in last. There was a -considerable amount of beauty among them, so that they passed for a -family of pretty girls, but when he saw Sybella, he at once acknowledged -that she surpassed them all. - -She was a bright little fairy, just entering womanhood. Curiously like -Mabel, so he thought: indeed, he would not otherwise have admired her so -much. - -"I am not surprised that Martha warned me," he thought to himself. "If -it were not for Mabel, I should certainly have fallen in love with that -little girl, and yet Mabel is her superior in many ways; I am sure of -that." - -They were seated at the dinner-table when these thoughts came into -Master Harry's head. Sybella's eyes met his. She blushed. Could she -have divined his thoughts? - -His uncle was very kind. No man indeed appeared to better advantage at -his dinner-table than did Mr. Coppinger. He at once made Harry feel -perfectly at home, and as his cousins addressed him by his Christian -name, he soon found himself calling them by theirs in return. - -"We must make a great deal of use of you, Harry," said Miss Coppinger. -"We sadly want a beau to accompany us in the evenings when we go out. -Father cannot often come with us. He comes home tired from business. -We six spinsters have consequently to spend most of our time in -solitude." - -"You do not look as if you had often been melancholy," said Harry. -"However, I shall be very happy to be at your service whenever you -choose to command me." - -"Very prettily spoken," answered Martha. - -When Harry glanced round at his six blooming cousins he felt that they -were not likely often to be left in solitude. There were a few other -guests at table--Alderman Bycroft and his wife and daughter; one a -full-blown rose, the other a bursting bud, giving promise of the same -full proportions as her mother. - -There was a young gentleman, the son of a wealthy distiller, dressed in -the height of fashion, who seemed to consider that he was greatly -honouring Mr. Coppinger's family by his presence, and there was another -youth of unpretending appearance, who looked as if he felt himself -highly honoured by the invitation, though he had in reality taken a high -degree at the University, and was the descendant of a long line of proud -ancestors. - -The distiller, Mr. Gilby, was inclined to patronise Harry, especially -when he heard Lady Tryon spoken of. - -"I will show you a little of London life, my boy," he whispered. "You -know nothing of it as yet, and unless you had a friend like me to -introduce you, you might live ten years here and know no more of the ins -and outs and doings of this great city than you do now." - -"Mr. Tryon would thereby, I suspect, be more fortunate than if he were -introduced to the ways of London as you suggest," observed Mr. Pennant, -the pale-faced young student. - -"I hope you enjoyed your dinner at your uncle's, yesterday," said Mr. -Silas Sleech, as Harry took his seat near him at his office desk the -next morning. "Fine girls your cousins, don't you think? I dine there -sometimes, and I then always mind my P's and Q's. I flatter myself I -stand well there with the fairer portion of the family, and of course -our principal has a great respect for my uprightness and integrity," and -a curious leer came into Mr. Sleech's eyes which he could not repress. -"Who was there, Tryon?" - -Harry told him. - -"Oh! young Gilby! was he? He's a rollicking blade. He offered to -introduce you into London society, did he? Why, he knows nothing about -it. Do not trust him. He would only take you to a few low haunts, -where you would see enough certainly of what he calls life. He invited -you to dine with him a week hence, did he? Well, then, come with me -to-night, and before that time I will enable you to show him that you -know far more of London life than he does. But, mum, here comes your -respected guardian, Mr. Roger Kyffin. Will this pen suit you, Mr. -Tryon?" he said, in a loud voice. "A good handwriting is an important -matter in the qualifications of a young clerk." - -Harry scarcely knew what to think of Silas Sleech. His manner offended -him, but he seemed good-natured and obliging; so he thought to himself, -"I will take him as I find him, and he is more likely to initiate me -into real London life than that young fop Gilby." Harry agreed, -therefore, to dine with Mr. Sleech that evening at a coffee-house, and -to accompany him afterwards to some place of amusement. - -Harry Tryon was not a hero of romance. He had never got into any -serious scrape, but then he had not been much tempted. He was now to be -left very much to his own resources. His kind guardian had formed a -higher opinion of him than he perhaps deserved. He also held Mr. Sleech -in considerable esteem. It is surprising that he did so, but the fact -was, that that individual was a most consummate hypocrite--he otherwise -would not certainly have deceived such acute observers as Mr. Coppinger -and his managing clerk. Harry could not have met with a worse person as -a companion in London. Young Gilby might have led him into scrapes, -while the other, by imbuing him with his own principles, and introducing -him to profligates and designing knaves, might injure his future -prospects, and destroy him body and soul, as many another young man has -been destroyed. Harry, when he accepted Mr. Sleech's proffered -civilities, had no conception of the dangerous course into which he was -about to lead him. He remembered old Sleech at Lynderton, a -smooth-spoken, oily-tongued, civil gentleman, profuse in his bows to -gentlemen on horseback or ladies in their carriages, but very apt to -button up his breeches pockets at the approach of a supplicant. As to -his character he knew nothing, except that he was looked upon as a -lawyer of sharp practice. Once upon a time Harry would not have wished -to be seen walking down Lynderton Street in company with Silas Sleech, -but now things were altered. In London people needed not to be so -particular as to their associates. - -As soon as the counting-house was closed, Harry set off with Silas -Sleech to the West End. That first evening was spent in a way that even -Roger Kyffin, had he made enquiries, would probably have approved. They -had been to the play, and afterwards supped at a respectable chop-house, -frequented by several actors, authors, and wits. Silas Sleech even -suggested that Harry should mention it to his guardian. - -"I don't often go to such places myself, you see," he observed -afterwards to Mr. Kyffin, "but I thought that Harry would require -something to divert his mind, and I rather put myself out of the way to -amuse him." - -Mr. Kyffin begged that Mr. Sleech would in future take no trouble on -that score; and at the same time he did not wish to shut Harry up -altogether, and was much obliged to him for what he had done. - -"You were always kind and wise, sir," said Mr. Sleech, in his softest -tone; "it is really a pleasure to me to enter into such scenes for the -sake of our young friend, otherwise I confess that more sober amusements -suit me best." - -It was strange, however, that Mr. Sleech should press Harry the -following evening to spend it precisely in the same way as the former, -though the house to which he took him after the play was of a somewhat -different character from that of the previous evening. He observed the -guests occasionally slipping out of the public room and going up-stairs. - -"I should like to know what they are about," said Mr. Sleech to Harry; -"what do you say, shall we try and get up?" - -Harry, of course, had no objection. - -"Follow me, then," said Sleech; "I observed the turn the others took, -and dare say that I can find my way." - -Mr. Sleech had no difficulty, although there were several dark passages -and a flight or two of stairs to be passed. At length a light fell on -their faces from an opening in the upper part of the wall. Mr. Sleech -uttered a few strange words, and a door, hitherto invisible, opening, he -drew Harry through it. Another passage and another door were passed -through, and they found themselves in a room of considerable size, in -which a number of people were assembled round a table on which dice were -rattling, and a gentleman with a long stick was drawing up towards him -small piles of gold placed at the edge, and occasionally paying out -others to some bystanders. - -"Why, we have got into something like a hell," whispered Mr. Sleech to -Harry. "I had no idea of the sort of place we were coming to. However, -now we are here, let us stop and see the fun; it seems very exciting. -See how eager these men watch the throws. I say, I feel quite a longing -to have a cast myself; it is not a right thing to do, but when one once -is in such a place it cannot much matter." - -"I would rather look on," said Harry. - -"So, of course, would I, generally," said Sleech; "still it won't do to -be here long without having a throw now and then; but still it is better -you should keep to your good resolution. If you like to take any -refreshment, you will find plenty of it on the sideboard there. You -will have nothing to pay; and if it is necessary I will see about that." - -Harry watched the proceedings for some time. He had too often, when -with Lady Tryon, witnessed play going forward in private not to be too -well acquainted with all the games in vogue. By degrees, therefore, his -interest was aroused. Silas Sleech seemed unable any longer to resist -the influence, and soon, pulling out some gold, he began to bet as the -rest of the guests were doing. He was the winner of a considerable sum. -Coming round to Harry, he put ten guineas into his hand. "There, my -boy," he said, "just try your luck with this; if you are the winner you -can pay me, if not, never mind. It's luck's profits, so I shall not -feel the loss." - -Harry hesitated. He had no love for gambling, and he knew that his -guardian would be sorry to hear that he had engaged in play. Sleech, -however, urged him to go on. "You're sure to win, and you'll repent it -if you go away without anything in your pocket." - -Thus persuaded, Harry staked a couple of guineas and won. He then -staked five, and was also successful. He doubled his stakes--again he -came off the winner. It would have been better for him had he lost. He -was still moderate in his stakes--fortunately, for luck, as Sleech -called it, began to go against him. However, he left off with 100 -pounds in his pocket. Sleech congratulated him as they wound their way -out of the room down-stairs again. - -"It's a nice little sum," he whispered; "you see what can be done if a -man is cool and calm; only there is one little piece of advice I wish to -give you: Don't mention the matter to Mr. Kyffin. If he asks you, just -say that you have been to the same sort of place that you went to -yesterday, but that you have seen enough of that sort of thing for the -present. You know that to-morrow you are engaged to Mr. Coppinger's; so -you told me. So we cannot go again for some little time." - -His second dinner at his uncle's went off as pleasantly as the first. -His cousins even improved on acquaintance. Sybella especially made -herself agreeable to him. She did not try; it was her artless, natural -manner which was so attractive. She was a sweet little creature, there -was no doubt about that, and had not his heart been already given to -Mabel, he would certainly have lost it to her. The only other guest was -Mr. Gilby. He seemed to be a very frequent visitor at the house, but -Harry could not discover which of his cousins was the attraction. -Perhaps the young gentleman himself had not made up his mind. Mr. -Coppinger was kind and courteous, but treated Harry with quite as much -attention as he did the wealthy Mr. Gilby. Indeed, that gentleman knew -perfectly well that, should he wish to secure him for one of his -daughters, the surest way to succeed would be to show perfect -indifference about the matter. Harry was somewhat surprised at the -interest his cousins took in the descriptions Mr. Gilby gave of some of -his exploits. He himself had never seen the fun of knocking down -watchmen, running off with their rattles, and rousing up medical -practitioners from their midnight slumbers, or calling reverend -gentlemen out of their beds to visit dying people. By his own account, -also, he had the _entree_ behind the scenes at all the theatres, and in -many of them his chair upon the stage. He was a regular frequenter of -Newmarket and the principal races in the kingdom, and there were very -few hells and gambling-houses of every sort into which he had not found -his way. He, however, seemed to be aware that Mr. Coppinger could not -approve of this part of his proceedings, and therefore only spoke of -them out of hearing of his host. He seemed to look down with supreme -contempt on Harry, who had not such experiences to talk of, and again -offered to introduce him into life. - -"Thank you," said Harry; "but you see I have become a man of business, -and have very little time to spare for those sort of amusements; -besides, I confess I care very little about them." - -"Well, you must take your own way," answered the young gentleman, -"though I must say I don't think a young fellow of spirit would be -content to live the humdrum life you do; or perhaps `still waters run -deep,' eh? that's it, is it not?" - -Wherever Harry had been on the previous night, or however late he had -been in bed, he was always at his desk directly the office was open, and -he also got through his work very much to Roger Kyffin's satisfaction. -Silas Sleech also always praised him. He told him also, should he find -any difficulty, to come to him, and on several occasions Harry had to -take advantage of his offer. His uncle, after some months, spoke -approvingly to him. "You will, I have great hopes, in time be fitted to -fulfil an important post in my office, from the reports I hear of you, -and the way in which I see you get on with your work. You have your own -fortune in your own hands, Harry, and I see no reason why you should not -make it. Your success is secure if you go on as you have begun." - -Harry was not happy, however. He had great doubts on that subject. Mr. -Silas Sleech had been more cautious in his proceedings. He suspected -that Harry might easily have been alarmed had he attempted to initiate -him too rapidly into London life. For several weeks he did not take -Harry to the gaming-house into which he had before introduced him. -Indeed, sometimes he declined taking him out at all. - -"It won't do, my boy," he said; "you are knocking yourself up with -dissipation, and I am afraid you will get a taste for those sort of -things if I take you out too often. Why you won more money last night -than I have pocketed for months together. `The pitcher which goes too -often to the well gets broken,' and if you don't take care you will have -a run of ill-luck, and if you lose, where is the money to come from to -pay your debts of honour?" - -By these remarks it will be understood that Harry Tryon had not resisted -the temptations to play which Silas had placed in his way, but as he had -come off the gainer hitherto, he had in consequence suffered no -inconvenience. He had been too much accustomed to see his grandmother -replenish her purse in that way to feel acutely any sense of shame at -depriving others of their property, which happily keeps some high-minded -men from the vice. Silas Sleech had other baits by which he hoped to -obtain entire power over his young companion. There was one, however, -with which he entirely failed, Harry would never be allured by -meretricious beauty. Silas was puzzled. He took good care to conceal -his own sins from public view. - -"The young one is deep," he thought to himself. "He knows what he's -about, I am pretty sure of that." - -Harry, though duped by Silas, had never made him his confidant. He saw -that Harry delighted in excitement, and took him once or twice to hear -the debates in the House of Commons. They were pretty stormy sometimes, -when Fox, and Pitt, and Wyndham were on their feet. Silas professed to -be a "friend of the people." Harry's generous heart rose in rebellion -against anything like tyranny and oppression, and Silas easily persuaded -him that the French Revolution had been brought about by the tyrannical -way in which the aristocracy had treated the people. - -"Let me ask you, Harry," he said, "are not our own people treated very -much in the same way? Look at our ill-fed, ill-clad soldiers, robbed on -all sides, and left to perish like dogs from neglect. Then see our -sailors. Were you ever on board a man-of-war, Harry? I have been. -Just see the tough dry meat, and weevily biscuit they are fed with; the -fearful way in which they are flogged for the slightest offence, at the -will, often capricious, of their captains; the little care taken of them -in sickness; the ill-paid, half-educated men sent out as surgeons; and -the wretched pensions they receive after, if they escape death, when -wounded in battle." - -So Silas talked on. There was much truth in what he said, but his -statements were often exaggerated. - -"However, I am but a poor speaker, Harry," he said; "come with me some -evening, and you shall hear all that I have said put forth far more -forcibly, and in far better language. Don't tell old Kyffin where you -have been, that's all. He holds to old-fangled notions, and has no -faith in Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality. We will look in first at -two or three of the clubs to which I belong, and there's no reason why -he should not suppose that you have been to one of those. There's the -Hums'; you remember my taking you there, at the Blue Posts, in Covent -Garden, and the `Rights of Man' Club. I have belonged to that since I -came to town. Then we can look in at the Pearl Drinkers', and if by -chance our friend presses you, tell him what you saw there. He probably -does not guess that I belong to more than one quiet club, and he may be -a little astonished at first, but that won't matter. He has no power -over me out of the office. Mr. Coppinger knows my merits, I flatter -myself, too much to dispense with my services at Mr. Roger Kyffin's -bidding." - -"I don't like those remarks," thought Harry to himself. "Ought I to go -with this man?" - -He very often had thought as much, and yet had followed Sleech's lead. -The day's work was over. Harry had thought of proposing to walk home -with Mr. Kyffin, but he went out, and had no opportunity afterwards of -speaking to him. Was Roger Kyffin pleased with his ward? Not -altogether. He thought that he spent too much time in going to places -of public amusement. He might more frequently have offered to go out to -Hampstead. Still he did not like to lecture the young man. - -"When I was young I should not have been contented with what now pleases -me. Harry will soon have had enough of this sort of life, and then will -take to more useful pastimes." - -"Come, Harry, let's be off," said Mr. Sleech, taking him by the arm. - -Harry did not resist. Mr. Sleech gave him a capital dinner at the "Blue -Posts," and looked in afterwards at the "Pearl Drinkers' Club." - -"Come now," he said, "we will steer for the `Saracen's Head,' Gerard -Street, Soho. I will introduce you there to some liberal-minded men, -who will make you open your eyes a little." - -Mr. Sleech was a rapid walker, and they quickly got over the ground. -Giving his name, they were admitted into a large room, already full of -persons. A considerable number were young men, but there were some -already advanced in life. In address and appearance the greater number -had imitated the French Republicans, while all, as a sign of their -liberality, kept on their hats. A young man was on his legs, his hair -escaping from under his hat, hanging over his shoulders. His eyes -rolled wildly, while he flung his arms about in every direction, every -now and then bringing his doubled fist down upon the palm of his other -hand. His oratory was fluent and bold. - -"The past must be buried in oblivion!" he exclaimed. "We dare not look -at it. A hideous system of the domination of one class over the souls -and minds and bodies of the vast majority. A new era must be organised, -but before a better system can be raised up, the ancient must be -levelled with the dust. On a new foundation--the whole of the people-- -we must build up a glorious temple, a superb superstructure, in which -people of all nations, united in the bonds of fraternity, must come and -worship together the great Goddess of Reason." - -CHAPTER TWELVE. - -IN DANGEROUS COMPANY. - -Harry's visit to the Jacobin Club was several times repeated. He met -there more than one man of note. The members were, however, chiefly -those who, carried away by their ardent love of freedom, which in France -had degenerated into unbridled licence, and their hatred of tyranny, -failed to perceive the happy mean where a settled government and just -laws exist. - -It would have been surprising had Harry not felt somewhat of the -enthusiasm of the speakers. Silas Sleech only once or twice took a part -in the debates, and on these occasions he advocated the most extreme -measures; and although the assassination of the King of England was not -mentioned, the regicides of the first Charles were lauded to the skies, -as among the truest patriots of which history makes note. - -"I wonder what your old mentor would say, if he heard of your attending -our meetings," said Sleech, as they were walking home. "However, it's -your own fault if he finds out. To-morrow we'll play a different sort -of game. I am sadly in want of a few hundred pounds, and I have an idea -that I shall get them; if you will stand by me, Harry, I will explain -matters you by-and-bye." - -The next evening Silas led Harry to one of the haunts which they had of -late frequented. They entered in the same cautious way as before. At -that time the police were actively engaged in endeavouring to destroy -the numerous gambling-houses, not improperly known as hells, in London. -Harry knew very well that he had no business to be there, and nearly -every day he persuaded himself that he would refuse to go again; but as -the evening came round, the tempter's persuasion overcame his scruples. -On this occasion a considerable number of well-dressed men were present, -many of them evidently men of rank and position. If they went, why -should not he? He had hitherto been wonderfully successful, and he had -made up his mind not to stake more than he had won. There was an -abundance of sparkling wine and other refreshments on the sideboard. -The room also was brilliantly lighted with wax candles, and Harry felt -himself in remarkably good spirits. Silas was already playing, and -placing somewhat heavy stakes on the table. Harry approached him, and -followed the example of his friend. Fortune seemed to have turned -against him. He lost stake after stake. Still Silas signed to him to -go on; a strange infatuation seized him. He lost still more. Suddenly -he looked up, when he saw the countenance of young Gilby, who was -watching him narrowly. The young man came round to him, and placed his -hand on his shoulder. - -"`Still waters run deep,' old boy. I thought so," he whispered. "I am -glad to see you are not such a muff as I took you for. I don't know -what our friends in Broad Street would say to you, if they saw you here. -However, mum's the word with me. Go on and prosper." - -Harry felt himself abashed. He could make no reply. - -"If one or two hundred pounds are of any use to you, you are welcome to -them, young one," said Gilby, in a tone which he intended to be -good-natured. - -"No, thank you," said Harry; "I don't intend to lose more than my purse -can bear." - -"Oh, oh! the young one has a touch of pride about him!" Gilby -whispered, loud enough, however, for Harry to hear him. - -Harry drew out his last five guineas. He staked them and lost. Sleech -came up to him, and put a roll of gold into his hand. - -"You can pay me at your convenience. Don't stop now, or it would ruin -all." - -Harry fully believed that he should recover his loss. One hundred, two -hundred pounds soon went. Again Sleech was by his side, and repeated -his offer. - -"Nonsense; I will take no refusal." - -Harry took the gold and lost it. He retained his countenance -wonderfully. Gilby smiled. - -"You had better borrow of me," he whispered. - -"No, thank you; my friend has my purse," answered Harry, with a certain -amount of prevarication. - -It was getting late. Harry lost still more. Sleech poured out a -tumbler of wine, which Harry tossed off. Silas led him away to a desk -in a recess. - -"Here," he said, "between friends we do not want acknowledgment, but -business is business." - -Harry signed the paper put before him. - -"You need not be afraid of being cross-questioned, Harry," observed -Silas, as they walked home. "It is a comfort to think that your -straight-laced guardian is safe across the seas in old Ireland. I am -afraid you would think I was talking blasphemy, if I was to pray that he -might never come back again, always provided he has left you his heir, -which I have an idea he intends to do. In that case, my boy, we each -should benefit. You would get his fortune, and I should step into his -shoes." - -"Don't talk so, Sleech," said Harry. "He's the best friend I ever had, -and I don't expect to get another like him; and as to his fortune, I -pray that he may live to a green old age, and enjoy it himself. I only -hope you were joking." And Harry felt himself getting angry, not the -less so that he could not help secretly acknowledging that he had been -led by the nose by such an arch-hypocrite as Sleech. - -"Of course, of course, I was joking," said that individual, in the bland -tone he could so well assume. "There's no man I esteem more than our -managing clerk, Mr. Kyffin, and I admire you for your affection for him, -only I don't think he would be quite satisfied if he knew the way you -spend your spare hours." - -Some important business with regard to a heavy mortgage on an estate had -taken Mr. Kyffin to Ireland; and from the state of the country and other -circumstances it seemed probable that he might be detained there for a -considerable time. He little thought how serious an influence his -absence would have in the destiny of the youth in whose welfare he was -so deeply interested. - -Not till the next morning did Harry reflect how completely he had put -himself in Mr. Sleech's power. He was to dine that day at his uncle's. -He was far from happy; he felt ill; he looked pale. It was not -surprising, for he had had but little sleep. His cousins rallied him. - -"A London life does not seem to suit you," said Mr. Coppinger. "You -stick closely to business, and I am pleased with your diligence. If you -apply to me I will allow you a few days' run down to Hampshire." - -Harry thanked his uncle. After dinner Mr. Gilby left the table before -the rest of the gentlemen. Harry followed some little time afterwards. -When he got into the drawing-room he found Mr. Gilby stationed before -the young ladies, talking eagerly. Looking up, they saw him. They were -silent. Harry heard his own name mentioned. - -"I could not help it," exclaimed Gilby, as he approached. "I have been -telling them what a deep fellow you are, Tryon. Why, there's not a more -rollicking blade about town, I suspect, if we come to follow you into -all your haunts. I have met you two or three times when you did not see -me. Ah! ah! old boy. Well, don't blush and be ashamed; I don't set up -to be straight-laced. I am not a punctual man of business, no prim -knight in buckram." - -Harry felt very much annoyed, but he restrained his temper. - -"Mr. Gilby is making merry at my expense," he remarked. "However, he is -welcome to do so. I can only say that I wish I had never been to some -of the places he speaks of. Until one has been to a place, one cannot -tell that it is objectionable." - -Harry was beginning to practise some of the lessons in hypocrisy which -he had learned from Silas Sleech. He was very uncomfortable all the -rest of the evening. Gilby's mocking eye constantly fell on him, and he -fancied that even his cousins regarded him with looks of suspicion. He -returned home. Silas Sleech was sitting up for him. - -"I am glad you have come at last," he said. "I have been fearfully -troubled by a business of great importance, and I really do not know how -to settle it. You can help me. Indeed, I rather think that you are -bound to do so. I handed over to you a pretty large sum last night. I -little thought that not twenty-four hours would pass before I myself -should be in want of it." - -Sleech dropped his voice. - -"Harry, you are a good, honest fellow. I must take you into my -confidence. Don't be horrified--I'm an utterly ruined man." - -"I'm sorry to hear it," said Harry. - -"There's little use expressing sorrow unless you are disposed to help -me. You can do it if you please, I can assure you. All I want you to -do is to put your name to a few bits of paper and ask no questions. I -know it's like begging you to put unbounded confidence in me. Perhaps -you will say I don't deserve it, and yet I wish you knew my heart, -Harry, how anxious I am to serve you." - -Several decanters stood on the table before Mr. Sleech. Harry had -already taken a good deal of wine at his uncle's. Sleech urged him to -take more. The weather was hot. He felt thirsty. Those were drinking -days, the virtue of temperance was seldom inculcated. On the contrary, -the more a man could drink, the better he was thought of by his ordinary -companions. Sleech smiled as he saw Harry toss off tumbler after -tumbler of wine. It was cool claret, and tasted like water. The -tempter had now his victim more than ever in his hands. The papers were -brought out. Harry put his name to several. - -"I wish you could write old Kyffin's name as well as you do your own," -observed Sleech, "or your uncle's. I say, Harry, why were you not -called Stephen Coppinger? Your grandmother's name was Coppinger, wasn't -it? In my opinion it's a better name than Tryon. Better, at all -events, on 'change--Tryon's not worth much there, I have a notion, and -Coppinger is worth whatever amount Stephen Coppinger chooses to put -above it. Don't trouble yourself about that amount you owe me--a few -hundreds only. You forget all about it now, very likely. However, just -let me get these papers in circulation, and I will never trouble you -again about it." - -"Give it me," said Harry; "I wish I had never signed it," a sudden flash -of sense coming across his mind. - -"So ho! boy, be calm, my dear fellow," answered Sleech. "You will find -that you have got to deal with your master." - -Harry Tryon never knew what papers he signed that fatal night, nor what -names he had written on them. He had a faint idea that he had moved his -hand according to Sleech's guidance. - -The next day Mr. Sleech declared himself indisposed, and told Harry he -should not go out that evening. They were alone in the office. It was -the business of Mr. Sleech to see it closed. Harry's head ached -fearfully. He had never felt so depressed. Several bills had come in, -and he had already spent every farthing of his salary for the quarter. -Silas Sleech approached him. - -"I rather think, Harry Tryon, this is the last day you will be at this -office--that is to say, if you take my advice." - -"What do you mean?" asked Harry. - -"Why just this, my dear fellow, listen to reason. There are certain -papers to which you have put your hand. These will be brought before -your uncle in the course of a day or two, and will be strong evidence -against you, that you have aided in a serious fraud. You are in my debt -for 500 pounds. I have your acknowledgment. You owe your tailor and -other tradesmen no small amount. Now, you don't know Mr. Coppinger as I -do. When he finds all this out, he will come down upon you with a -severity to which you are little accustomed. I tell you, Harry, he -would, without the slightest compunction, have you shut up in Newgate, -and see you sent to the scaffold, even though you were his own son, -instead of his grand-nephew. Thus you see your character is blasted, -and all hopes of success in business cut off." - -Harry had sat with his hands clenched and his eyes fixed on Silas Sleech -while he made these remarks. - -"Sleech, you are a villain!" he exclaimed with vehemence; "a cunning, -hypocritical scoundrel!" - -"Very likely," answered the other. "Go on, young one, what else am I?" - -"You have deceived me, and led me into all sorts of vice," cried Harry, -clenching his fist. - -"You are quite right. You followed my lead. I had an object, and I -have succeeded. I wished to ruin you in our worthy principal's -estimation, and you'll find by to-morrow that he looks upon you as a -hopeless profligate. You have no longer any chance of supplanting me. -As to Mr. Kyffin, I rather think that he will consider himself mistaken -with regard to you, and that you will no longer as of yore be precious -in his sight. Thus you see, Harry, I have check-mated you completely." - -"You have shown me clearly that I am a fool, and that you are a -consummate villain," exclaimed Harry. "I will acknowledge my own fault -and exhibit your knavery." - -"As you please," said Sleech, in an unmoved tone. "You must remember -that in acknowledging your own folly you run the certainty of being -convicted of felony. I have no especial personal dislike to you, except -that I have reason to believe you a rival in more cases than one, and -that you have been received on friendly terms by a family who have -looked upon me, though a relative, with haughty contempt. You -understand me, Harry Tryon. There is as good blood runs in my veins as -in yours, and do you think with that knowledge that I would consent to -be cut out and trampled upon without taking vengeance when I have it in -my own power?" - -"Sleech, are you in earnest in what you say?" asked Harry, almost aghast -at this declaration of his companion. "You are either mad or a most -fearful villain." - -"You have called me so twice already," exclaimed Sleech, in the same -cool tone; "I don't mind it a bit. Again I say, stay if you like and -brave your uncle's anger. My character stands high with him, and I know -too many of the secrets of the house for him to venture to quarrel with -me, even should he wish it. You see I know the ground I stand on, and I -again say, take your own course. It's really a matter of indifference -to me." - -Harry dared not longer trust himself with Sleech. Seizing his candle, -he rushed up-stairs into his own room. What should he do? Had he known -more of the world he would have remained, and, acknowledging everything -he had done since he came to London, have repeated Mr. Sleech's threats; -but he did not know the world, nor Mr. Coppinger's character, while he -could not take advice of the friend who, he ought to have known, at all -events, if he did not, would certainly have given him such advice as a -wise father would give his best beloved son. For a long time Harry -could not close his eyes. At length, overcome by the violence of his -feelings, he dropped off to sleep. The shutters were not closed. - -It will make matters more clear if the full amount of Silas Sleech's -villainy is explained. For several reasons he wished to get rid of -Harry. He had induced him to put his signature to several I O U's, not, -however, to himself, but to different unknown persons. On a part of the -very same paper he had himself forged Mr. Coppinger's signature in a way -by which it would, he thought, make it evident that it had been written -by Harry. This made him more than ever anxious to induce the young man -to hurry away from London, knowing that his flight would assist in -fixing the crime on him. Mr. Kyffin's absence would assist his object. - -When Harry awoke the grey dawn was stealing into the room. He sprang -up. On his table was a purse; it contained ten guineas. By it was a -paper, on which was written, "Take the advice of a friend, and go!" - -It was not signed, and the handwriting was disguised. "He has been too -cunning to give me the slightest proof of his villainy," he said to -himself. - -"Go I must, I see it too clearly, but I will write to Mr. Kyffin, and -tell him all." - -He packed a few articles of dress into a bag which he could easily -carry, and taking a stout stick in his hand, left his room. He knocked -at Sleech's door as he went by. - -"Close the door after me, I am going out," he said. - -"Ah! you are wise," answered a voice from within. - -Harry withdrew the bars and bolts. He waited outside till he heard them -replaced. Few people were in the streets at that early hour. He walked -on rapidly westward. He might be in time to catch the coach, which -started at an early hour from Piccadilly. It would have carried him by -night for a considerable part of the journey. He might hire a horse for -the following day, or proceed on foot. He ran rather than walked along -the streets; there were no hackney coaches out at that hour, and he had -his legs alone to depend on. The heavy coach was beginning to move just -as he reached its place of departure. There was one seat vacant. He -had just time to climb into it, when the vehicle commenced its rumbling, -rolling progress to the south-west. The inside, which carried six -people, was full. One person sat by the coachman on the box, and four -others were perched up behind him. Harry's seat was facing the guard, -who was known by the large red coat, ornamented by yellow lace, and the -huge blunderbuss which was slung by his side. Harry was not inclined -for conversation. The guard eyed him narrowly for some time. - -"You are all right," he said at last. "It is necessary to be awake, -when people come as you did without booking their names. We were robbed -three days ago by a gentleman on a fine horse, and even I took him for a -nobleman, till he cried, `Stand and deliver,' and somehow or other my -blunderbuss would not go off, and the passengers inside only screamed -and cried, and those outside only roared and swore. However, if I -thought you were up to any tricks, I would just shoot you through the -head with my blunderbuss, as if you were a savage beast in Exeter -Change." - -Harry thanked the guard for his kind intentions, and begged that he -would keep his ammunition for another object. As the coach moved along, -during the day, Harry could not help looking out in the expectation of -seeing a horseman in pursuit, sent by his uncle to bring him back. -Again and again he cursed his folly and his weakness, for having yielded -to the temptations thrown in his way by Silas Sleech. As the evening -closed in, the heavily laden vehicle reached the end of its journey. It -was the same inn at which he had stopped more than once with his -grandmother, and the landlord recognised him. He had, therefore, no -difficulty in obtaining a horse, by which he might proceed at a more -rapid rate to Lynderton. He desired to be called before daylight, that -he might start with the first streaks of dawn. What object was to be -gained by his going to Lynderton? There was one person there, who he -knew would, at all events, believe him innocent. He wished to tell -Mabel of the trouble into which he had been plunged; to confess his -folly, and to entreat her, whatever she might hear, not to think too ill -of him. He would release her from her engagement, for what right had -he, a penniless outcast, with his character blasted, still to hope to -unite himself to one so lovely and pure, and the heiress of a good -fortune. His heart might break in the struggle. He should never cease -to love her, but free she must be. Before noon next day he was -galloping along a green glade in the New Forest. He saw before him a -horseman mounted on a stout cob proceeding at a leisurely pace. He was -about to dart past the stranger, when turning round he caught a glimpse -of features which he remembered well. They were those of Captain -Falwasser, or rather of Captain Rochard. Supposing that he was not -recognised he was going to pass on, when the captain hailed him. - -"Harry Tryon, my lad, where are you going so fast? Is it your usual -custom thus to cut old friends?" - -Harry pulled up; an idea struck him. - -"No, indeed," he answered, "but I am afraid my old friends will cut me. -Captain Falwasser, I am an unfortunate man. I am in great difficulties; -I need not tell you what they are. I ask you, will you let me join your -vessel as one of the crew, if you still command her? I care not where I -go, but I want to leave England. I should be ready to start with you -to-morrow, or the next day at the very furthest." - -"You seem in a desperate hurry to take a plunge into something, Harry," -answered Captain Falwasser. - -"I know the world better than you do, so let me advise you to reflect -well before you leap off firm ground. I would not ask what has gone -wrong with you, but I will wager you are not worse off than hundreds of -other young men have been. Some who took leaps in the dark are bitterly -repenting their folly. Those who paused before they jumped are happy -and prosperous. Think of what I say, my dear boy. Then, again, I -cannot promise to receive you on board the lugger. I command her -occasionally, I confess. I have my reasons for doing so, though I am -not the lawless person you suppose. Some day you may know more about me -than you do now. In the meantime, come and stay at my cottage on the -borders of the forest, unless you are going to visit your friends at -Lynderton." - -"Thank you," said Harry, "I accept your offer, for my plans are very -uncertain. All I want to do is to keep in hiding for some time. If you -are not afraid of housing me, I shall be more secure with you than with -anybody else." - -"I am obliged to you for your confidence," answered the captain, "and as -I do not believe you have been guilty of a felony, I will gladly afford -you an asylum as long as you choose to take advantage of it. When I am -absent, my old housekeeper, Dame Tricot, will look after you." - -The captain's cottage was a very humble one. It stood deep back in a -recess of the forest, and was built of yellow clay dug from a -neighbouring pit, and thickly thatched with straw. It was, however, -whitewashed. In front was a neat porch, over which clematis had been -taught to climb, while the interior was fitted up with considerable -attention to comfort, though it had but two apartments. One served as -the kitchen and Dame Tricot's dormitory, the other as the owner's -parlour and bedroom. Harry would have guessed by the appearance of the -room that the occupier was a gentleman. On one side was a table with a -handsome writing-desk. On the other, an easel with drawing apparatus. -On the walls were several good pictures, and in the bookcase a few -well-bound volumes. There was a table in the centre, which was large -enough to admit of two or three persons sitting round it, while the -narrow truckle bed in one corner showed that though the owner possessed -refined tastes, his habits were far from luxurious. - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN. - -A LOOK AT THE OLD PLACE. - -A tidy, active, intelligent little woman placed a plain but abundant -repast before the captain and his guest. - -"I have taken to English customs," said the captain, "and Dame Tricot is -willing to please my taste, however much she may pity it. She cannot -talk much English, but you may talk French to her, and if you make her -your confidant I am sure that you will win her affections. There's -nothing an old woman likes so much as to be trusted by the young. I -believe that if you had committed a highway robbery and confessed it to -her she would not betray your confidence. I shall have to go into -Lynderton, and perhaps shall not return for some days; but you can -remain here, and I'm sure she will take very good care of you." - -Harry, however, was anxious to see Mabel. If he did not go at once, -something might prevent him. He told the captain, therefore, that he -wished to visit his friends at Stanmore. - -"Ah! you'll only find the colonel and Miss Everard there, for the -captain has got a ship, and gone away again to sea. My young friend, -the Baron de Ruvigny, is, I am told, a constant visitor there, -undoubtedly attracted by the _beaux yeux_ of Miss Mabel." - -Harry felt uncomfortable. He thought that his friend was wrong in his -suspicions; at the same time, he did not like to hear them uttered. The -captain agreed to take his horse to Lynderton that it might be sent -back, while he proceeded on foot towards Stanmore. Harry set forth -soon. From a height which he reached he saw the blue sea stretching -before him, the rays of the setting sun lighting up the snowy cliffs of -the western end of the Isle of Wight, which rose like a lofty buttress -out of the glittering ocean. Several vessels were sailing in and out of -the narrow passage between the island and the main land. Some with -lofty canvas were standing out into mid channel, others were creeping -along in shore, lest during darkness an enemy's cruiser might approach -and carry them off as prizes. He was about to take a cut across the -fields, when he saw below him a figure sitting on a stile. A rich manly -voice burst forth with a stave of a ditty-- - - "British sailors have a knack, - Haul away ye ho, boys, - Of hauling down a Frenchman's Jack - 'Gainst any one you know, boys. - - "Come three to one, right sure am I - If we can't beat them, still we'll try - To make old England's colours fly, - Haul away, haul away, haul away ye ho, boys." - -"That fellow has not much care at his heart," thought Harry, rather -disposed to avoid the singer. - -Harry went on. He had, however, to ask him to move on one side to let -him pass. - -"With all the pleasure in my life, my hearty," was the answer. "Why, -Master Harry Tryon, on my life!" exclaimed the singer, as Harry jumped -over the stile. "Stop, you are not going to cut an old friend, are -you?" - -"I should scarcely have known you, Jacob Tuttle, if you had not spoken -to me," said Harry, taking the seat the other had vacated; "you are -grown into such a big burly fellow." - -"Yes; a life at sea browns a fellow's phiz, and plenty of beef fills him -out; not that ours isn't often tough enough, and more likely covered the -bones of an old horse than an ox. But where are you bound to, Master -Harry?" - -"I am going to pay a farewell visit to some friends, and then I have a -great mind to go to sea. I am sick of a shore life, and wish I had gone -three or four years ago." - -"Not too late now," answered Tuttle. "You are rather old for an -officer, and I suppose you would be too proud to go before the mast." - -"No, indeed I would not," answered Harry. "I am ready to go anyhow. If -I'm worth anything I hope to work my way up, as others have done, and if -I am worth nothing I must take my chance with the rest." - -"Very rightly said, Harry; active hands like you are wanted. I am -thinking of going to Portsmouth to look out for a ship, and if you take -my advice you will volunteer on board the same. I will soon teach you -your duties, and you will be a petty officer before many months are -over. There were plenty of gentlemen's sons on board the last ship I -served in, or at all events they said they were. Some of them were -pretty wild blades, to be sure, and were `King's hard bargains;' but -that's not your style, I have a notion, and so, as I said before, come -along with me. I will rig you out as a seaman. And now I come to think -on't, you are a better one already than many a chap who has been two or -three years afloat. There are some cut out for sailors, and there are -others nothing can be made of." - -This proposition jumped exactly with Harry's present notions. - -"I have no time to lose," said Harry, "and I want to get rid of my -present long shore toggery as soon as possible." - -"Well, then, mate," said Jacob, "my old mother's cottage, where I am -stopping, is not far from here, and if you like to come, I'll rig you -out in a seaman's suit, which I only got the other day, and never yet -put on. You can pay me for it or not, as you think fit; you are welcome -to it, at all events." - -Rapid action was to Harry's taste. Within half an hour of the time he -fell in with Jacob Tuttle few would have recognised in the smart, young, -sailor-like-looking lad, the sedate London-dressed merchant's clerk. -Harry felt freer than before in his new dress, and promising to return -to old Dame Tuttle's cottage, he hurried away towards Stanmore. It was -dusk when he approached the house; but he knew every path and sylvan -glade in the grounds, and had already thought of the best place in which -to watch for a chance of meeting Mabel. By climbing a high paling he -got round to the garden side of the house. Lights were in several -windows. He could, he thought, approach the drawing-room--Mabel might -be there alone. He would then ask her to come out and talk with him. -The most secure approach to it was by a long straight avenue -overshadowed by trees which led up one side of the grounds. He hurried -along it, keeping as much as possible on the turf on one side, that he -might run no risk of making a noise, when he heard footsteps -approaching, and presently a man's figure appeared in the centre of the -walk. Who could it be? It might possibly, he thought, be the colonel, -though it was not his custom to walk out at night. Harry drew behind a -tree by which he was completely concealed. The person passed on, but so -thick was the gloom that Harry could not distinguish his features. By -his height it was certainly not the colonel. The person went up the -avenue, then turned, and walked once more in the direction of the house. -Harry did not move for fear of being discovered: he watched the person -narrowly. A gleam of light came through an opening in the trees. He -saw clearly the outline of the figure. His jealous feelings told him at -once that it was the Baron de Ruvigny. - -"I thought he loved poor Lucy," he muttered to himself. "But Mabel! can -it be to see her that he comes here? I might give her up for her own -sake, but I would never yield her to a Frenchman." - -He came forward from his concealment, and confronted the young -Frenchman. - -"We don't allow people in England to skulk about houses," he whispered, -seizing the young man's arm. - -"Why, I know that voice--you are Harry Tryon. Surely you would not mock -me?" answered the baron, not attempting to withdraw his arm from Harry's -grasp. - -"Mock you! no; but what brings you here? I ask," exclaimed Harry. "I -have a right to know that." - -"To indulge in my grief," answered the baron. "I have lost one who had -won my deepest affections, and I come here, like an uneasy spirit, to -wander over the ground on which she trod. Harry Tryon, I thought you -knew how I loved her." - -"I thought you did, and I now feel sure you did," answered Harry, his -anger vanishing. "You know also that I love her cousin; I wish even now -to see her. I am very unhappy. I cannot venture into the house. Will -you, therefore, act the part of a true friend, and bear a message from -me to her? and also will you pass your word of honour not to try and win -her affections during my absence? Your attentions might annoy her, and -yet you might be tempted to pay them." - -"Again you mock me, Tryon," said the young baron. "Can you suppose that -my affections, which are buried in the grave of her sweet cousin, should -so soon be restored to life? I will, however, give you my promise as -you desire it." - -It is possible that the young baron's affections were not so deeply -buried as he supposed. However, he spoke with sincerity, and Harry -believed him. He agreed to go round to the front door, and enter as an -evening visitor, and to deliver Harry's message, should he have an -opportunity of doing so without being overheard by the colonel or Madame -Everard. - -Lucy had constructed an arbour with woodwork, interspersed with flowers -and paths winding among it. A rustic bridge crossed a sparkling stream, -which ran murmuring down in front towards the lake. There was but one -approach, so that strangers could not easily find it. Here Harry begged -that Mabel would come to him. He sat down in the bower, anxiously -waiting her approach. More than once he started up, thinking that he -heard her footsteps, but his senses had deceived him. At length he -could restrain his anxiety no longer. Had the baron deceived him, or -could not Mabel venture out? He wished he had not trusted to another -person. He might have written, or he might, by watching patiently, have -seen her during the day as she walked about the grounds. He was going -once more towards the house, when he saw a figure coming along the -gravel walk towards him. He was sure it was Mabel. At the risk of -being mistaken he hurried to meet her. - -"Speak, speak! Is it Miss Everard? is it Mabel?" he asked. - -"Oh, Harry, your voice has relieved me, for not expecting to see you in -the dress you wear, as the moonlight fell on you I feared that I might -be mistaken. Oh! tell me, what has brought you down so suddenly. The -Baron de Ruvigny's manner made me very anxious." - -"Come and sit down here, and I will tell you all," said Harry, taking -her hand and leading her to the arbour. "I have folly to confess. I am -lowered in my own sight, and I fear I must be in yours," said Harry, in -a trembling voice, very unlike his usual tone. - -"What is it you have done?" asked Mabel, much agitated. "Nothing wrong, -surely; nothing wrong?" - -"Yes, I have done much that is wrong. I was wrong to trust to a false -friend, to visit scenes of dissipation with him, to stake money I could -not afford to lose, to lose my senses so as no longer to have command -over my actions. He plied me with wine till I knew not what I was -about, and during that time I put my name to papers which have brought -irretrievable ruin on me. My honour, oh! Mabel, my honour is lost! No -one will again trust me." - -"But who is the person of whom you speak, Harry? who could gain such -influence over you--surely not Mr. Kyffin?" - -"Oh! no, no. Had I remained with him, this would not have happened. He -is one whose name I scarcely like to mention to you, Mabel; for he is, I -believe, related to you. He is Silas Sleech, the son of the lawyer at -Lynderton." - -"Oh, he is a man I never could endure, even as a girl. His countenance -alone made me always fancy he must be a hypocrite. But how could such a -man gain an influence over you, Harry?" - -Harry had to enter more into details than he had before done. Still, -"blessed in the faith of woman," Mabel could not believe him as guilty -as he was inclined to consider himself. - -"Such is my history," he said at last, "since I parted from you; and -now, Mabel, I come to set you free. I have no right to bind you to so -lost, so penniless a wretch as I am; and yet with the thought that I -might still be worthy of you, I feel confident that I could once more -rise to a position in which I might be worthy of your love. I am still -young. I have resolved to enter the navy, and work my way up to the -quarter-deck. Once there, I may rise to the rank your father holds. He -was a post-captain when still a young man, and why should not I be, -Mabel?--fame and fortune are before me. For your sake I feel sure that -I may achieve them. Mabel, it was this I came to tell you. I could not -go away without seeing you, and bidding you farewell. Mabel, pray for -me; pray that my life may be saved, and that I may win a name worthy to -offer to you. Still believe me, I could love no one but you, though you -are free." - -Neither spoke for some time. - -"I dare not urge you to take any other course," Mabel said at last, "but -I wish you could have consulted my kind uncle. He is too ill, however, -I fear, to see you; still, he would give you wise counsel, I am sure. I -would rather, indeed, that you had remained in London, and, braving the -anger of Mr. Coppinger, have exposed the villainy of that wretched man, -Silas Sleech." - -"It is too late now, Mabel," said Harry; "there are many things I ought -to have done, and ought not to have done." - -Much more the lovers spoke to the same effect. Mabel did not in any way -express her thanks to Harry for offering to give her up. On the -contrary, she spoke as if she was more firmly bound to him than ever. - -At last, as they sat in the bower, forgetting everything else, the light -of a lantern fell upon them. They started and saw before them the tall -figure of Paul Gauntlet. - -"Why, Master Harry, no one knew you were in these parts," he said, -letting the light of the lantern fall on his face; "but you should not -have been keeping the young lady out so long as this. Miss Mabel, Madam -Everard has been quite in a taking about you for the last quarter of an -hour. You must come in at once, and wish this young gentleman good-bye, -unless he wants to come in, too." - -Harry knew very well that the old soldier would not betray him if he put -confidence in him. He therefore at once told him the reason of his -visit to Stanmore. - -"Ah! Master Harry," said Paul, "the only advice I can give you is to -come in and talk the matter over with the colonel. He will tell you -what to do better than any other man. That's more than I can do. I -have learned to obey orders, and I know how to obey them, but I never -was much of a hand at giving orders. You, Master Harry, as I say, just -come and tell your troubles to the colonel. He is so wise and good that -he is sure to show you the best thing to be done." - -"I cannot, I dare not tell the colonel," answered Harry. "I thank you -sincerely, Gauntlett, but you don't know how he would look on these -things." - -"Well, well, Mr. Tryon, you must act as you think best, if you won't -take the advice of an old soldier who loves you as if you were his son." - -Saying this, Paul walked on ahead, as if to show the way with his -lantern, though it is just possible he might have suspected the young -people would rather be by themselves for a few minutes, without the -bright light of his lantern falling on them. - -When Paul got close to the house, he stopped, intending once more to -urge his advice on Harry, but when he looked round Mabel was alone. -Harry had bade her a hurried farewell and rushed off, unable any longer -to trust his feelings, and unwilling to take the advice which he -suspected the old soldier would again proffer. - -Paul let Mabel come up with him before entering the house. - -"Do you know where he has gone to, Miss Mabel?" he asked. "I am afraid -he has got some wrong notion into his head, and will be doing something -desperate when there's no necessity for it. There are often two ways of -looking at the same thing, and in my mind he has been looking the wrong -way." - -"I think indeed that he has," answered Mabel; "but I tried also to get -him to speak to my uncle. His guardian, Mr. Kyffin, is away in Ireland. -I fear they are the only two people who could have persuaded him to act -differently. He told me that he intended to remain for the night at the -cottage of Dame Tuttle. You might find him there to-morrow morning, and -perhaps his mind may by that time be calmer." - -Mabel found her aunt very anxious about her long absence. The baron had -gone away some little time before she quitted the drawing-room, so that -she knew that Mabel had not gone out to speak to him. She was so -thankful, however, at seeing her back, that she did not press her with -questions, merely observing: "Since that fearful evening, the -commencement of poor Lucy's illness, I have been so nervous, dear, that -I am anxious even when you are more than a few minutes absent from me." - -Mabel, however, had no wish to conceal the fact of her having met Harry -Tryon; for she knew that her aunt would sympathise with her in her -sorrow. She felt somewhat relieved when she had told her grief; but -though the two ladies talked the matter over, they could see no -immediate way of extricating Harry from his difficulties. Mabel was for -writing at once to Mr. Kyffin. At length she bethought her of her -godfather, Mr. Thornborough. "He knows Mr. Kyffin, Harry has told me, -and he would be able to intercede both with him and Mr. Coppinger." -Many other plans were thought of and discussed. The two ladies, -however, agreed to wait till the following morning before they settled -the one they would adopt. - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN. - -MANNING THE NAVY IN THE OLD TIME. - -Often during the night, as Harry lay on Widow Tuttle's spare truckle -bed, he repented him of his resolution to start off immediately to sea. - -Common sense said, "Wait till you can hear from your kind guardian, or -still better, till you have had an interview with him. Explain the -state of the case clearly to Mr. Coppinger, acknowledging that you were -drunk, and put your name to papers with the contents of which you were -not acquainted. Let him know that Silas Sleech is a consummate -hypocrite, and in all probability a thorough rogue. Brave the worst. -Surely nothing can be so bad as running away, and leaving your name and -credit and character in the hands of such a fellow as Sleech, who has -acknowledged himself your enemy, and who will, like his master--Satan-- -if you bravely face him, succumb before you." Then rose up again -Harry's desire to go to sea, his dislike of having to acknowledge his -weakness and folly to Mr. Coppinger, and his doubts whether his uncle -would believe his statements. Sleep scarcely visited his eyelids. He -was just dozing off when he heard Tuttle's rough voice exclaiming-- - -"Turn out there, mate, we'll have some breakfast, and then be off before -the sun's up. We have a long voyage before us, and only our own legs to -depend on." Harry had wished to go to Portsmouth by sea. - -"And I'll tell you what would happen if we did," said Jacob. "As soon -as we set foot on shore the press-gang would be upon us, and whether we -liked it or not would carry us on board their ship to serve his Majesty. -I was very nearly caught once; had twenty fellows after me as hard as -they could pelt. Fortunately it was dusk, and I bolted down an alley -and into a court, and up a stair, and right under an old woman's bed, -and there I lay while the whole gang hunted about without finding me. I -know a place or two where we can lie hid till we learn what ships are -fitting out, and who are to command them. It's a great thing to get a -good captain, Harry. There are several captains I would like to sail -with well enough; but there are not a few whose ships are like hells -afloat, and you may depend on't I'll stand clear of them." - -Jacob gave his old mother a hearty kiss, as putting a stick into his -bundle, he threw it over his shoulder. - -"Don't take on, dame, now," he said. "I'll be back soon and bring you -no end of the rhino. Most of it, to be sure, slipped away from me at -the end of the last cruise before I got home; but I will take better -care of it this time for your sake, mother." - -The old woman shook her head. She had been too long accustomed to find -that Jacob's money had slipped away before he got home to expect much, -though he had generally contrived to bring enough for his board while he -remained. Harry wrote a note, which he got a boy to carry to Captain -Falwasser, saying that he was going off to sea, and begging him to take -care of his bag till his return. With brisk steps, though Harry's heart -was heavy, the two young men took their way through the forest. They -looked like two active young seamen any captain would be glad to get -hold of. They cautiously approached the village of Hythe, opposite -Southampton, lest the press-gang might be there on the look-out for men. -The coast being clear, they ran across the beautiful estuary of the -Southampton Water in a wherry, and landing on the western side near -Itchin, pushed on towards Gosport. Night had closed in before they had -got to the end of their journey. Harry had seldom taken so long a walk; -but his muscles were well knit, and he might have gone still farther. - -"We must keep a sharp look-out, mate," said Jacob; "the gangs are sure -to be about, and if they were to fall in with us, we might say good-bye -to liberty. But come along; there's a house I know of not far off, and -we shall be all right there if we once get inside the door." - -Jacob led Harry down several lanes and alleys in which scenes of -drunkenness and vice met his eye, which, even accustomed to London as he -was, made his heart turn sick. - -"And this is the way the defenders of our country spend their time on -shore!" he said to himself. "No wonder they are treated like brutes, -when they live like beasts without souls." - -Harry's reasoning might possibly not have been correct as to what cause -produced the effect. Might he not more justly have reasoned, "If they -are treated like brutes, like brutes they will live?" That question has -been solved in later days. Since thought has been taken for seamen they -have essayed, and not unsuccessfully, to attend to the welfare of their -souls. In those days little regard was paid to that subject. - -They stopped before the door of a low house with not many windows -looking into the street. Such as there were were closed with shutters. - -"She's a good old creature," whispered Jacob, "though maybe by this hour -she's a little lushy; but you must not mind that. She knows me and my -ways, and will treat us well. Her husband is sure to be drunk; but then -he will be in bed and out of the way, and she's never so bad but what -she can get supper ready. We may trust Sally Hoggart for that. You -will see I am right." - -Jacob gave two or three knocks on the door, but no one came to it. - -"Maybe she's had a drop or two more than usual," observed Jacob. "She -will wake up in time, only I hope no press-gang will be coming along the -street before she opens the door. If we see them we must run for it, -Harry. You stick by me. I know a place to hide away in." - -Jacob repeated his blows on the door. At last a slide was moved in one -of the panels, and a light streamed through it. - -"All right, Sally," said Jacob. "You know me, and I have brought a -mate. Open the door, and let us in; we have enough to pay for our -board, so don't be afraid." - -The door opened, and the two young men entered, the bolts and bars being -instantly replaced. The person who came to the door might have -possessed many excellent qualities, but her appearance was not in her -favour. Her figure was stout and shapeless; her dress, wanting greatly -in hooks and eyes and strings, worn and stained, looked ready to slip -off her shoulders. Her hair, already sprinkled with white, escaped in -dishevelled locks from beneath her mob cap, destitute of all stiffness, -and darkened by soot and dust, while her thick lips and watery bloodshot -eye showed that she not unfrequently indulged in potations deep and -strong. Jacob, however, on entering, chucked her under the chin, and -giving her a hearty smack on her flabby cheeks, told her to be a good -old soul, and to get supper ready for two hungry wayfarers. At first -she declared that she had dressed suppers for twenty men already, and -that she was too sleepy to put another saucepan on the fire; but Jacob, -after a little persuasion, made her promise to exert herself, and he -then led the way into a room at the back part of the house. Here some -dozen or more men were sitting round a table, most of them with pipes in -their mouths, others with pots of ale or glasses of spirits before them, -while several were playing at cards. They looked up at the new comers, -who took their seats at the other end of the table. Jacob soon entered -into conversation with those nearest him, and learned what ships were -fitting out. The characters of various captains were discussed. - -"The `Brilliant,' Captain Everard, has just come in to refit, and is in -want of hands. He's a right sort of officer. If I wanted to go afloat, -I would volunteer on board his ship as soon as any other," remarked a -seaman who was sitting opposite to them. - -"What do you say, Harry? Would you like to volunteer on board the -`Brilliant'?" asked Jacob. - -"No, she would not suit me," answered Harry. "I have my reasons for not -wishing to join her." - -"Run from her, maybe, once in a time?" observed a seaman. - -"Well, then there's the `Nymph,' Captain Cook. He's a good seaman, and -not over-harsh with his men; and there's the `Saint Fiorenzo,' Captain -Sir Harry Neale. Never a man has sailed with him who's worth his salt -who would not wish to sail with him again. I wish there were many other -captains in the navy like him. We should not have cause to complain as -we have now." - -Harry and Jacob agreed therefore to volunteer on board the "Saint -Fiorenzo." While this discussion was going on Sally placed a smoking -supper before her two lately arrived guests. They did ample justice to -it, for although the cookery was of a somewhat coarser character than -that to which Harry had been accustomed, his long walk had given him an -appetite. He soon began to feel a great longing to lie down and go to -sleep. For three nights, indeed, he had scarcely closed his eyes for -ten minutes together. Even before he had finished supper his head began -to nod. Jacob observed his condition, and asked Sally for a bed. - -"Why," was her reply, "every one I have got are more than full already; -you must prick for the softest plank you can find. Not the first time -either of you youngsters have had to do that." - -Jacob knew there was no use remonstrating, and so drawing a bench up to -a corner of the room, he placed his bundle under Harry's head, and led -him to it. Scarcely had Harry stretched himself on the bench, hard as -it was, than he was fast asleep. Jacob, however, was not so happy as he -intended to be, and calling for come more liquor--he was not very -particular what it was--he and his new friend opposite were soon engaged -in plying each other with tumblers of grog. - -There was a knocking at the door. Sally having by this time slept off -some of her evening potations again went to it. Another seaman begged -for admittance. He had nowhere to lodge, and he was afraid the -press-gang who were about would be getting hold of him. He had plenty -of shiners to spend, as Sally should soon know by the glitter of one -with which he would at once cross her hand. This argument had great -effect upon her gentle heart. Opening the door she admitted her -visitor. He was a stout-looking man in a thick pea-coat, with a -tarpaulin hat firmly fixed on his head, while his hand clutched a stout -walking-stick. As she was about to close the door behind him great was -her indignation to find a crowbar inserted. There was a trampling of -feet. She shrieked out with several unfeminine oaths, "Murder! murder! -the press-gang is upon us." Her visitor, however, very ungallantly -seized her by the arm as she attempted to close the door, and shoved a -thick handkerchief into her mouth. In the meantime the door was forced -completely back, and two or three men who had been lying down close -under the walls, had sprung to their feet and entered with their leader. -They were quickly joined by others of their party, who had been coming -at a quick run down the street. In an instant the inmates were aroused, -and the whole house was in a fearful uproar. Some tried to force their -way out by a back door, but no sooner had they opened it than they found -themselves in the power of a strong body of armed seamen. The men who -were in bed threw on their clothes, some trying to jump from the -windows; but seeing by the number of the press-gang outside that they -would be certainly caught if they did so, rushed down-stairs and joined -in the fray which was going forward in the public room. Some were armed -with bludgeons, others with fire-irons; some seized chairs and benches, -and various other articles of Sally's furniture. She, to do her -justice, with her female attendants, fought as heroically as her guests, -in a vain endeavour to secure their personal safety. - - -Harry had slept through the first part of the combat, but at length the -fearful uproar aroused him. He started to his feet, not knowing where -he was or what had happened. The room was almost in total darkness, for -the lights had instantly been extinguished, and only here and there fell -the glare of the men-of-war's men's lanterns as they held them up in the -hopes of distinguishing friends from foes. Harry seized Jacob's bundle -with one hand, and the stick with which he had carried it in the other, -and attempted to defend himself from the blows which were dealt freely -round. He thought he distinguished Jacob's voice not far from him, and -he made his way up to his friend. At that instant, however, a further -party of the press-gang arriving, the seamen were completely -overpowered. In vain Sally and her attendants fought on, in the hopes -of enabling some of their friends to escape. Every outlet was too -strictly guarded. The officer and many of the men composing the -press-gang probably knew the house as well as its inmates, and had taken -their measures accordingly. - -In the course of a few minutes, although some heads had received pretty -hard cracks, yet no blood was spilt, every man in the house, with the -exception of old Tony Hoggart, was in the power of the press-gang. It -was a most successful haul. Upwards of thirty prime seamen had been -captured, Jacob and Harry among them. Not till the fight was over did -old Tony find his way down-stairs, at the foot of which he stood with a -light in his hand, his red nightcap set on one side of his bullet head, -his trousers held up by one suspender, his stockingless feet in shoes -down at heel, while from his blear eyes he glared out on the intruders -into his abode. As if at length aware of what had occurred, he -commenced a series of his vituperative remarks, which increased in -vehemence as he proceeded, his curses and oaths being first directed -towards the head of the officer in command of the party and his men, the -captain of the ship, and the navy in general coming in for their share. - -"We're in for it, Harry," said Jacob; "keep up your courage, however; if -we put a good face on the matter, we shan't be so much worse off than if -we had volunteered. We can tell the first-lieutenant when he examines -us to-morrow morning that we intended to do so. I'll just learn what -ship we have been taken for." - -Jacob made the inquiry of the seaman who had charge of him. - -"The `Brilliant,' Captain Everard," was the answer; "he's a good -captain, and you may bless your stars that you have been taken for his -ship." - -Harry's heart sank when he heard this. - -He would at once be recognised by the captain. - -What account could he give of himself? The boats were in waiting in the -harbour. The men hurried down to them immediately. Some resisting were -dragged along. A cuff on the head, or a blow with the butt end of a -pistol, generally silenced those who cried out in the hopes of being -rescued. - -Harry and Jacob walked along quietly. Neither were disposed to -struggle. As soon as the prisoners were got into the boats they shoved -off. In a quarter of an hour afterwards Harry found himself for the -first time in his life on board a man-of-war. - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN. - -THE HERO'S FIRST TRIP TO SEA.--THE FATE OF THE "BRILLIANT." - -Harry and the other pressed men stood for some time on the deck of the -frigate, awaiting the appearance of the commanding officer. Harry -dreaded his coming, believing that Captain Everard would immediately -recognise him. At length an officer appeared from below, accompanied by -the master-at-arms, who held a ship's lantern in his hand. The officer -commenced his inspection at the other end of the line. The light not -falling on him, Harry could not see his features, but his figure was -like that of the captain. - -"I must brave it out," he thought. "What shall I call myself? It must -be a name I can recollect. Andrew Brown will, do as well as any other." - -Jacob was standing at a little distance from him. He had just time to -step round and whisper, "I shall take the name of Andrew Brown," before -the officer approached. He was greatly relieved on finding it was not -the captain. Jacob Tuttle gave his real name. He entered himself as -Andrew Brown. - -As soon as the inspection was over, the men were ordered down below, -being told that they would be entered more regularly the next morning. -They were told that they might lie down between the guns on the main -deck, sentries being placed over them as if they were prisoners. - -Harry was only too thankful to find a quiet spot where he might stretch -his weary limbs and finish his slumbers, which had been so rudely broken -during the first part of the night. He was too sleepy even to think. -He dreamed that the fray was renewed, for the most strange, wild, and -unearthly sounds assailed his ears: shrill whistles, hoarse bawlings, -fierce oaths, the stamping of feet and rattling of ropes, and shouts of -all sorts, creating the wildest uproar he had ever heard. - -"Yes, he's alive, only drunk, maybe," said a gruff voice in his ear. - -"No, he's not drunk, only worn out pretty well, as you or I would be if -we had not had a sleep for three or four nights. He's young, you see." - -These words were spoken by Jacob Tuttle, who, putting his arm under -Harry's shoulders, helped him to get up, and saved him from knocking his -head against the gun-carriage under which he had been sleeping. For -some seconds he felt stupefied. The whole ship, which was so quiet when -he lay down, was now in a state of what appeared to him the wildest -confusion--officers issuing their orders in no very gentle voices or -refined language, and men rushing here and there, stamping along the -decks with their bare feet, swaying up yards, and bending sails, -hoisting in stores, and lowering casks and cases into the hold. Harry, -when he saw the number of men and size of the ship, began to hope that -he might avoid the recognition of the captain. - -"I'll keep out of his way," he thought, "and if Mabel does not tell him -of my intention of going to sea, though he may think Andrew Brown very -like Harry Tryon, he may possibly not dream of asking questions on the -subject." - -After breakfast the first-lieutenant went through the usual examination -of the pressed men, and entered them under different ratings in the -ship's books. In those days muscle and activity were the qualifications -most valued. Harry was able to answer in a satisfactory way the -questions put to him, and was at once rated as an able-bodied seaman, -and, greatly to Jacob's satisfaction, was placed in the same watch and -mess with him. - -"I'll show you what to do, Harry," he said, "and you'll turn out as good -a seaman as any on board." - -The following day the ship went out to Spithead. - -Harry wrote two letters, no easy task amid the multitude of persons on -board, male and female visitors of all sorts, at whose language and -conduct Harry's heart sickened. It was well that it did so. Better be -disgusted with vice than witness it unconcerned. Very often our young -sailor was interrupted, his paper saved with difficulty from profane -hands. Still at last the letters were finished. One was to Mabel. He -did not describe the scene by which he was surrounded. He told her -simply that he had taken the final plunge, was now a seaman sworn to -serve his king and country, but hoped soon to be an officer, entreating -her not to mention his name to her father, and sent a message to Madam -Everard and Paul Gauntlett. He entreated her to think kindly of him, -and assured her that his own heart would be faithful to death. - -Poor Mabel! the letter did not give her much pleasure. "As if I should -ever cease to think of him," she said to herself. "Oh, that he had been -better guided." - -He wrote also to Mr. Kyffin, directing the letter wisely to his private -house, for he thought it more than probable that Silas Sleech would -otherwise take possession of it. The letter was a long one, tolerably -coherent on the whole. He confessed all that had occurred, made no -excuses for himself, nor did he accuse Sleech. He dated his letter from -the "Brilliant," begging his guardian to reply to it, in the hope that -an answer might reach him before the ship sailed. Day after day passed -by, and no answer came. - -Harry heard with some considerable trepidation that Captain Everard was -expected on board. He saw his gig coming off. The sides were manned, -and the captain passed through the gangway to the quarter-deck, touching -his hat in return for the salute offered him by the marines drawn up on -either side. He glanced his eye aloft, and then along the deck. -Everything was in excellent order. Harry, who was nearer than he could -have wished, stood his gaze steadily. He spoke a few words of approval -to the first-lieutenant, and then went down below. Harry saw at a -glance that Captain Everard on shore and Captain Everard in command of a -frigate were two somewhat different characters. As the captain -disappeared, Blue Peter was run up to the mast-head. It became -generally known that the ship was to sail the next day; her destination, -the North American Station and the West Indies. Harry's heart sank when -he heard this. - -"I may be away then three, perhaps four long years," he said to himself. -"What changes may take place in the meantime! Yet I may have better -opportunities of distinguishing myself than on the home station. I -ought to be thankful." - -Harry, as he looked round the decks, could not conceive how order could -ever spring out of the fearful disorder which had seemed to prevail. - -The ship was crowded with visitors. Boats in great numbers hung -alongside, in which the boatmen were quarrelling with each other, while -eager Jews endeavoured to find their way on deck to obtain payment of -debts which they alleged were due to them from the seamen. Harry had -little fear at this time of being recognised, the captain being -generally employed in the cabin. He was watching what was going -forward, when he saw a wherry standing up under sail from the westward -towards the ship. - -"Is that the `Brilliant'?" asked a voice from the boat, in which sat -three persons--the boatman, his boy, and a young woman. - -"Ay, ay," was the answer. - -The sail was lowered and the boat stood up alongside. - -"May I come on board?" asked a gentle female voice, as the boat reached -the gangway ladder. - -"That you may, and welcome," was the answer; "but you will not have long -to stay, as the ship's going to sea directly." - -Harry thought he recognised the countenance of the speaker. Assisted up -gallantly by the quartermaster stationed at the gangway, the young woman -stood on the deck. She looked round with a somewhat scared and -astonished gaze, but no sooner did her eye fall on Harry, who was -watching her, than she ran towards him. - -"Oh! Mr. Tryon, is it you, indeed? Can you tell me if Jacob Tuttle is -on board? He came away without telling me that he was again going to -join his ship, and I only heard just now from a friend of his at -Portsmouth that he was on board the `Brilliant.' He would never wish, I -know, to go and leave me without one farewell, and so I cannot make it -out." - -Harry recognised in the speaker Mary Cull, Mabel's trim little -waiting-maid. Jacob was aloft at the time, engaged in some work on the -maintop-gallant yard. He had been too busily occupied to see the -different boats coming to the ship. Now, however, the task completed, -he happened to cast his eyes down on deck, and even at that distance -recognised the figure though he could not have seen the pretty features -of Mary. He observed, however, that she was talking to Harry. The -knife he was using, which hung round his neck by a rope yarn, was thrust -into the breast of his shirt, and quick as lightning he came gliding -down the backstay close to where the two were standing. Mary gave a -shriek of terror when she saw him, thinking that he was falling. Before -even she could utter another exclamation of alarm, he sprang nimbly on -deck and stood by her side. - -"Mary," he said, "have you come to look for me? I would not have come -away without wishing you good-bye if I had thought I was not going to be -back again pretty soon, but I was pressed aboard this ship, and had no -chance of going back to see you and mother. You know I am a poor hand -at writing, and I could not ask my friend here to trouble himself about -the matter, and so, Mary, that's the long and the short of it. I love -you, girl, that I do, and love you now more than I ever thought I would; -but, Mary, I did not think you cared for me, that's the truth on't, and -now I know you do," and Jacob took Mary's willing hand in his, and -looked into her eyes with an honest glance which must have convinced her -that he spoke the truth, whatever he might before have done. - -"Jacob, I did not tell you I loved you before, because you did not ask -me, but still I thought you knew I did, and as for Tom Hodson you was -jealous of, I never cared a pin for him, and he's gone and 'listed for a -soldier." - -Harry listened to this conversation not unamused. He understood the -whole history in a minute. Jacob had left home in a huff, jealous of -the attentions Mary was receiving from a rival, and now he was going -away, to be parted from her for many years, perhaps never to return. He -could not help comparing Jacob's position to his own. Poor Mary was in -tears. Jacob was vowing with earnestness that he would from henceforth -ever be faithful to her. - -"No, Mary, no, I am going among negresses and foreigners, black and -brown girls of all sorts, and do you think I would take up with one of -them and leave you?" And Jacob laughed at his own suggestion. "No, -that I would not, not to be made port admiral, nor a king on his throne -either. Mary, I was a fool to come away and leave you and poor mother, -but it's too late now, I must go this cruise. The king himself could -not get me off. There's no use asking the captain. Why he would only -laugh at me. If he was to let me go, half the ship's company would want -to go and marry their sweethearts. I tell you a plain and solemn truth, -Mary; but cheer up, dear girl. Never fear, I will be true and faithful -to you." - -Mary was too much occupied with her own grief to think much of Harry. -However, she at last turned towards him. - -"Mr. Tryon," she said, "are you going, too? Surely that cannot be. -What shall I tell Miss Mabel?" - -"Tell her, Mary, what Jacob has said to you. I trust the time will -quickly pass. I hope to do my duty faithfully to my king and country, -and to obey my captain." - -Mary was about to ask further questions, but the boatswain's whistle was -heard, uttering the stern order for all visitors to leave the ship. -Jacob gave Mary an affectionate embrace, and assisted her down the side, -Harry especially being very unwilling to detain her lest she should be -seen by the captain. She had come away, Jacob told him, having got a -holiday for a week to see her friends. The boatman, who knew Jacob, -wished him farewell, for though he stared at Harry, he did not appear to -recognise him in the dress of a seaman, so different to what he had been -accustomed to wear. In a few minutes afterwards the merry pipe was -sounding. Harry and others were tramping round with the capstan-bars, -and the anchor was slowly hove up to the bows. The proud frigate, under -all sail, stood down the Solent toward the Needle passage. - -Harry turned his aching eyes toward Lynderton as the frigate glided by. -Though the sea was bright, the air fresh, and everything round him -looked beautiful, his heart sank low, and often and often he bitterly -repented the step he had taken. He quickly, however, learned his duty -as a seaman, and Captain Everard more than once remarked to the -first-lieutenant that he had seldom seen a more active and promising -lad. - -"You speak of Andrew Brown, sir?" was the answer. "Yes, he's one of our -pressed men, but he at once seemed reconciled to his fate. He will make -a prime seaman." - -"Curious, I cannot help fancying that I have seen him before," observed -the captain, "or else he is very like a lad I know, of a family residing -in my part of the country. However, that is fancy." - -Probably from that moment Captain Everard thought little more of the -likeness between Andrew Brown and Harry Tryon. - -The frigate met with remarkably fine weather during her passage across -the Atlantic. As she neared the American coast, however, thick weather -came on--such as is often found in those latitudes. It was night. The -starboard watch was on deck--that to which Jacob and Harry belonged. -The ship was under easy sail--a fresh breeze but fair. The captain was -below. A bright look-out ought to have been kept, but bright look-outs -are not always kept, even on board men-of-war. - -"How cold it feels," observed Harry to Jacob. "What's that white cloud -ahead?" - -Scarcely had the words left his mouth than there was a fearful crash. -Every timber quivered. Down came the foremast. The bowsprit also was -carried away. - -"She's on an iceberg!" was shouted out. - -Dismay seized the hearts of the stoutest. In an instant all was -confusion and disorder. In the midst of it, a voice sounding above even -the wild uproar ordered the men to their stations. The ship had bounded -off, and now glided by, leaving the iceberg on the starboard side. -Still the sea drove her against the base. Twice she struck with fearful -violence. The mainmast followed the foremast, speedily carrying the -mizenmast with it. The gallant frigate lay a helpless wreck on the dark -tossing waters. The captain ordered the carpenter and his mates to -sound the well. In a few short minutes he reported ten feet of water in -the hold, increasing fast. Starboard bow stove in, many planks -alongside ripped off! The ship must inevitably founder. - -In an unskaken voice the captain announced the dreadful fact. - -"Remain calm and collected, and do your duty to the last, lads," he -cried. - -Orders were given to get out the boats. - -Rafts also must be made, though there was short time for building them. -The crew worked with a will. Had they been wearied out with pumping -they might have given in. They had good reason now for working hard. -The ship laboured heavily. The officers and many of the older seamen -knew well, from the slow heavy movements, that she had not long to -float. The carpenter by another report confirmed their fears. Harry, -with other seamen, was engaged in making a raft on the quarter-deck. It -was smaller than the rest, and nearly completed. The captain's voice -was again heard ordering the boats to be lowered without delay. While -the men were engaged in obeying the order the stern of the frigate -seemed to lift up. Down sank the bows, and with one awful plunge the -proud frigate rushed downward into the ocean depths. A wild cry arose, -such as even the bravest utter in a moment of extreme peril. Jacob and -Harry leaped on the small raft. The grey dawn had just before broke. -Some of the larger rafts, not yet completed, were sucked down with the -sinking ship. Several boats suffered the same fate. Others were -swamped. The small raft was whirled round and round, a few men clinging -to it, Harry and Jacob among them keeping their hold. Here and there -were despairing faces gazing their last at the sky ere they sank beneath -the water. Now and then an arm was seen uplifted grasping at air. -Broken spars and planks escaped from the unfinished rafts, drowning men -clinging to them, though many of those who clung there soon dropped off. - -Harry and Jacob had helped three shipmates to climb up on to the raft. -Not far off a man was struggling to gain a spar which floated near. -Even by that light he was seen to be an officer. - -"It's the captain!" cried Harry; "I must save him." - -Springing from the raft, he swam out towards the captain. The officer -was close to a spar, but his hand failed to clutch it, and he sank. -Harry dived rapidly. His hand grasped the captain's collar, and with an -upward stroke he returned to the surface. He looked around. The spar -was not an arm's length from him. Placing the captain across it, he -pushed it towards the raft. The captain was saved from immediate death. -But what prospect had those poor fellows, on that small raft out on the -stormy ocean, of being saved? No sail was in sight. One boat only had -escaped destruction. She was already at some distance. Those in her -did not perceive the raft. Already, probably, she was overloaded. Soon -a sail was hoisted and she stood away to the westward. The saddest -sight of all was to see the poor fellows clinging to the pieces of wreck -one by one dropping off. The sun rose, the mist cleared away. Six men -on the raft alone remained on the waste of waters. - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN. - -A NEW CLAIMANT FOR STANMORE. - -Colonel Everard lay on his bed propped up with pillows. The window was -open. He gazed forth over the green lawn, the bright blue sea and the -Isle of Wight smiling in the distance. Three persons were in the room. -Near his head stood his faithful attendant and old companion-in-arms; on -the other side was his sister. Tears were in her eyes, while Mabel -stood near the foot of the bed with her hands clasped, gazing on that -venerated countenance. The sand of life was ebbing fast, a few grains -alone remained. - -"Paul, we have fought together. We have served our country well when we -had youth and strength," whispered the old officer, holding the hand of -his faithful attendant. "You don't forget that day when our brave -general fell. Ere he died he heard that the enemy were put to flight, -the victory won. Sister, he died happy, and so do I; for I may say with -all humbleness, I have fought the good fight. I have tried to do my -duty, but I trust in One mighty to save." Then returning to old -recollections, "You remember that day, Paul; that battle, the most -glorious of our many fields. And now, Paul, we shall never fight again. -You must look after these two here, sister Ann and my sweet Mabel. -They want a trustworthy protector. I never knew you to fail me, Paul." - -His voice as he spoke was sinking lower and lower. A few more words he -spoke expressive of the Christian's hope. Then his hands relaxed their -grasp, and those who watched him knew that the noble old man was dead. - -The colonel's will was opened. By his express desire no funeral pomp -attended him to the grave. Paul, with eight of his older tenants, -simple cottagers, several of whom had been soldiers, bore his coffin. - -Seldom, however, has a longer line of mourners attended a plume-bedecked -hearse than than which followed on foot the remains of Colonel Everard. -Not only did all the inhabitants of Lynderton join the procession, but -vast numbers of persons from the surrounding districts came to show -their respect to the memory of one who had so long dwelt among them, and -whose many virtues had won their love. - -The estates were entailed on the next heir-at-law, while such property -as the colonel could leave was given to his well-beloved sister, Madam -Everard. - -He had not, however, been a saving man; indeed, the expenses of his -position had been considerable, and the sum was but small. Mabel and -her aunt were to remain in possession of Stanmore Park till the return -of Captain Everard from sea. - -The funeral was over, and once more the household settled down into -their usual ways. Paul was more active than ever: his eye was -everywhere, feeling that he was obeying his master's behests in watching -over the interests of the captain and his daughter. - -The same coach which a few months before had brought Harry Tryon -southward, had now among its passengers no less a person than Mr. Silas -Sleech. He was in deep mourning--a proper respect to the memory of his -late uncle, Colonel Everard. Yet his countenance bore no signs of -grief. On the contrary, some pleasant thoughts seemed to occupy his -mind, as he frequently rubbed his hands together and smiled -complacently. - -He was received with cordiality by his respected parent, the elder Mr. -Sleech, though the rest of the family, consisting of several brothers -and four fair sisters, welcomed him apparently with less affection. -Silas had brought but little luggage, but he held a tin case of -considerable size which he had never allowed to quit his hand. The -family greetings over, he and his father retired to the inner office. -With intense interest they examined the contents of the case. - -"It's all right, father, I tell you," exclaimed Silas. "Stanmore is -ours, as sure as fate. My mother was the elder sister next to the -colonel, and the captain's father never had any marriage lines to show. -I tell you the captain has no more right to the name of Everard than old -Pike the mace-bearer. If the captain has a certificate, where is it? -Let him show it; but he has not; and that little jade Mabel, who looks -so proudly down upon me especially, must now be brought down a peg or -two herself. She will be humble enough before long, or I am mistaken." - -"Silas, you ought to be Lord Chancellor," exclaimed his father; "you -have managed this affair with wonderful acuteness and judgment. I -always thought there was a screw loose about Tom Everard's foreign -marriage, his wife dying suddenly, and he coming home with a small baby -and a strange nurse, who could not speak a word of English or tell -anybody what had happened. However, now we have got the law on our -side, the sooner we take possession of our rights the better. You and I -will see to that to-morrow. We will behave handsomely to Madam Everard. -Indeed, I rather suspect that she won't be so badly off, and whatever -she has will go to Mabel, so there's no use falling out too much with -them. However, if your mother's husband and children ought to be at -Stanmore, why to Stanmore we will go, so that is settled." - -"Don't tell the rest of them, though, father," said Silas. "They will -be blabbing it out, and Madam Everard will be getting wind of it, and we -shan't have the pleasure of giving them the little surprise I long for; -come, you must not baulk me in that, daddy. A Lord Chancellor knows -what's what, and if I don't kick up a pretty shindy in Stanmore Park -before long, my name's not Silas Sleech." - -Madam Everard and niece were seated in the study after breakfast. It -had been the colonel's sitting-room, and they occupied it with fond -affection, no one, however, making use of his arm-chair. It seemed as -if his spirit was often there, come down from the realms of the blest, -while they talked of him and their lost Lucy. - -The servant entered, and Madam Everard heard with no small -dissatisfaction the names of her little-esteemed brother-in-law and his -eldest son. They entered the room not with quite so much confidence as -might have been expected. - -"Why, Ann, you look somewhat solemn this fine morning," observed the -elder, as he took a seat, not very close to Madam Everard. Silas drew -somewhat nearer to Mabel, but rising, she placed herself on the sofa -near her aunt, and continued the embroidery at which she was working, -scarcely looking up. The elder Sleech turned his hat about several -times. He did not look as if he felt himself a member of the Everard -family. - -Silas had more impudence than his father, and this enabled him to -overcome a certain feeling which would intrude, in spite of his assumed -confidence. - -"I have come about business, Ann," at last said Mr. Sleech the elder, -"Silas and I. We wish to do everything pleasant and to give no -annoyance; but you must know, Ann, when your elder sister married me, -she married the family lawyer that was. You have always supposed that -Tom Everard--the captain's father--had married abroad; at all events the -captain was brought home as a baby by Tom, who said he was his lawful -child. Now it turns out that either Tom was mistaken, or else he told a -fib--I don't like to use strong language. If a man cannot prove his -marriage he is not married; that's what the law says. Now Tom to his -death never had any marriage certificate to exhibit. It follows, -therefore, in the eye of the law, that he was not married, and so you -see your sister Jane became heir-at-law of her late brother, and I, as -her representative, am--or rather my son Silas is--the rightful -possessor of Stanmore Park. It's as clear as a pike-staff, Ann, and so -there's no use making any ado about it." - -While Mr. Sleech, senior, was speaking, Madam Everard had maintained a -perfect composure. Poor Mabel's colour came and went. She felt a -choking sensation in her throat. Not for herself did she care, she was -thinking of her gallant father, away from home fighting his country's -battles--when he returned to find himself disinherited. It would be a -grievous blow. She felt, too, that she could no longer, when she gave -her hand, endow her husband with the wealth she thought she should value -more for his sake than for her own. - -"You say you called on a matter of business," said Madam Everard, with -becoming dignity. "As a man of business we will treat you. I will send -for Mr. Wallace, my late brother's solicitor, and should he be satisfied -that you are the rightful owner of Stanmore, and that Captain Everard -has no claim on it, my niece and I will quit the house. Till then I -must request you to leave us at peace. You must be aware that the -information you bring us is not pleasant." - -Mabel kept her lips pressed together. She dared not trust her voice, -she simply bowed her assent to her aunt's request. - -"Well, well, Ann, I am not surprised that you are annoyed," said Mr. -Sleech, rising from his seat; "that is but natural. Of course, we are -gentlemen, and wish to treat you as ladies. We will just take a look -round the park and grounds. I have a notion a good many trees should be -cut down. The colonel was over-squeamish about felling timber; and -Mabel, my dear, I wish you would not look so glum. Perhaps if you play -your cards well, you may still be mistress of Stanmore, eh? Silas, you -rogue, you used to admire your pretty little cousin." - -Silas rolled his round eyes and gave a glance at Mabel which she, at -least, thought bespoke very little affection, for she turned a way from -him with a feeling of loathing, not deigning to make any remark. - -"You know your way," said Madam Everard; "you must do as you think fit. -We cannot interfere." - -Without putting out her hand, she gave a stately bow to her -brother-in-law and nephew. A chuckle reached her ears as the door -closed behind them. - -"Jane, Jane, what have you brought upon us?" she exclaimed, -apostrophising her deceased sister. - -The marriage had been a hateful one from the first. Old Sleech had, -even as a young man, been almost as odious as his son, and no one could -account for Jane Everard's infatuation and bad taste when she insisted -on marrying him. - -Madam Everard rang the bell, and begged that Paul Gauntlett would come -to her. He obeyed the summons, and was soon afterwards trotting off on -the horse with which he always accompanied the colonel to Lynderton. -Mr. Wallace was at home, and very quickly made his appearance at -Stanmore, escaping an encounter with the Sleeches, who were still making -their round of the park, notching trees which they agreed might come -down to advantage and clear a pretty penny. - -Mr. Wallace heard Madam Everard's statement with a grave face. - -"I do not see much that is hopeful about it, but we will try what the -law can do. If the law decides that Captain Everard is not the heir, we -have no help for it. I will look over all the deeds deposited with me, -but to my recollection I have no certificate or copy of certificate of -Mr. Tom Everard's marriage. He must have been very young at the time, -at all events. An older man would probably have taken more care of so -important a document. However, I will see Mr. Sleech, and endeavour to -persuade him that he cannot justly at present push his claims. We must -proceed cautiously, for although you are in possession, I fear that he -can prove himself to be heir-at-law." - -Mr. Wallace had left the house some time before the Sleeches returned. -They came in by the garden entrance, and walked without ceremony into -the study, where Mabel and her aunt were still sitting. - -"Well, we have had a good look round the grounds, Ann, and I have come -to the conclusion that the colonel did not make half as much of the -property as he might have done. Why, I can tell you, eight thousand -pounds' worth of timber might be cut down--Silas says ten thousand, but -I think that he is a little over the mark--without doing any harm to the -place, and there are no end of improvements he and I have been -proposing." - -"No one must venture to cut down timber on this property without the -leave of my nephew, the captain," said Madam Everard, drawing herself -up. - -"Well, that's as may be, Ann," answered Mr. Sleech, with a forced laugh. -"He who has the right to the property will have the right to cut down -the trees, or law's not law. However, that's neither here nor there. -What I want to know, Ann, is when you and Mabel will be ready to pack up -bag and baggage and turn out. There's that bow-windowed house in the -town, half-way up the street, which would just suit you two spinster -ladies, and the fact is that my daughters and my sons and I have rather -a fancy to come and take up our quarters here. We have been kept out of -the place a pretty long number of years, and you see, in my opinion, -it's time we had our rights." - -"When our legal adviser considers that we have no longer a right to -remain in this house, Mabel and I will immediately leave it," answered -the old lady, with dignity. "I am sure such would be Captain Everard's -wish. In the meantime, I must request, Mr. Sleech, that you and your -son will bring this interview to a conclusion. As relatives I would -have made you welcome; but I cannot feel that you are justified in thus -coming to insult my niece and me. I must therefore request that you -will take your departure." - -"As you like, Ann, as you like," exclaimed Mr. Sleech, swinging about -his hat, which he had lifted from the ground. "It won't be for long, I -can tell you; we shall soon be back again, I have an idea." - -Silas endeavoured to shake hands with Mabel with a smile which he -intended to be insinuating, but she indignantly turned from him. - -"Oh, oh, proud as ever," he muttered, as he followed his father out of -the room, at the door of which Paul was standing sentry. He had seen -them returning to the house, and it would have fared ill with either of -them had they ventured to proceed much further in their insulting -remarks to the ladies. Not a muscle of his countenance moved as he -opened the hall-door; but his eyes glared down upon them with an -expression which made even Silas wince and keep close behind his -father's heels. - -"Well, that old fellow's the essence of glumness," observed Silas, as -they got beyond hearing. - -"She threatened me, she did," muttered his father, between his teeth, -not attending to what Silas had said. "But we will be even with them, -or my name's not Tony Sleech." - -Lynderton was at that time a place of fashionable resort during the -summer season. People came down there to enjoy the sea breezes and the -bathing in salt water, to listen to the band of the foreign legion, and -to enjoy the pleasant society which was to be found in the town and its -neighbourhood. During the lifetime of his sister, Lady Tryon, Mr. -Coppinger had declined going there; but he now acceded to the urgent -entreaties of his daughters, and had taken a house for them, at which -they had arrived. He himself, however, could only occasionally get -down. One of the very few visitors admitted at Stanmore was the young -Baron de Ruvigny. He also had soon become acquainted with the Miss -Coppingers, and from the account he gave of them, as well as from the -way Harry had before spoken of his cousins, Mabel more than ever was -anxious to see them. Indeed, she consulted with her aunt whether she -might not with propriety call upon them. The matter was discussed -several times; but Madam Everard could not yet bring herself to see -strangers. - -"They are charming young ladies," said the young baron, "so full of life -and spirits, and so sweet and gentle; so refined in manners, so lovely -in appearance." - -"What! are the six sisters all charming?" asked Mabel, innocently. - -The young baron hesitated, blushed, confessed that one in particular was -even more than he had described--a lovely pearl. Her name Sybella--what -a sweet name. Her voice, too--she sang exquisitely. - -"I have heard of her," said Mabel, at length, "from her cousin Harry. -He described her as a very interesting girl, so pray tell them, baron, -that I hope soon to make their acquaintance." - -This was said before the visit of the Mr. Sleeches to Stanmore, which -has just been described. - -The Miss Coppingers thought Lynderton a most delightful place, and were -not at all surprised that Harry had praised it so much to them; their -only sorrow was that he was not there. Their father, with kind -consideration, had not told them that he had strong grounds for -suspecting Harry's honesty, nor had he given any reason for his absence. -All he had said was that Harry had suddenly left the counting-house and -had not returned, and they all thought too well of him to suspect him of -any dishonourable conduct. They consequently spoke of him openly at -Lynderton as their cousin. He seemed to have many friends, but only two -appeared to know what had become of him: one was the Baron de Ruvigny, -who was a very frequent visitor at their house, and the other was -Captain Rochard, who came once or twice with the baron. He was, he told -them, an old friend of Captain Everard's, and was therefore particularly -interested in the place. - -Silas Sleech had obtained a holiday for the purpose of visiting -Lynderton, not at all aware at the time that Mr. Coppinger was about to -proceed there himself. Great was the merchant's astonishment when, the -day after he came down, his eyes fell on his clerk, dressed in the -height of fashion, walking up and down among the gay company assembled -under an avenue of trees at the outside of the town to hear the band -play. His amazement was increased when he saw him bow with a most -familiar glance at his own daughters. Directly afterwards his clerk's -eye met his. Now Silas possessed as much impudence and assurance as -most men, but his glance sank abashed before the stern look of the -dignified Mr. Coppinger. The young ladies were, they declared, utterly -ignorant who he was. He had introduced himself as a friend of the -officers of the legion, on the previous evening, without giving his -name, while they had seen him dancing with several young ladies. Silas -was ambitious. He was endeavouring to work his way into good society, -in the outside circles of which only his family had hitherto moved, in -spite of their connection by marriage with the Everards. - -Meantime Roger Kyffin had returned from Ireland. His grief at finding -that Harry had gone away with so grievous an imputation on his character -was very great. Still he did not, he could not, believe Harry to be -guilty. He found no letter, however, from him at Idol Lane, nor was -there one at his own house. - -"Surely the boy would have written to me," he thought, "and told me -where he was going. With all his faults, I believe he regarded me with -sincere affection. I am sure he would have written." - -On speaking to his housekeeper one day about some letter which had been -left during his absence, she mentioned that Mr. Silas Sleech had on one -occasion come to the house and requested to see Mr. Kyffin's letters, -stating that he had been desired to forward some of them to him. - -"I never gave any such directions," said Mr. Kyffin. "Did he take any -letter?" - -"Yes, sir, there was one--a particularly thick one, too--and the -direction was in a good bold hand, just such as I have seen Master Harry -write. I thought at the time, `Surely that's the very letter master -would like to have,' so I let Mr. Sleech take it off, making sure that -he was going to send it on to you." - -CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. - -THE OLD FAMILY DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOME. - -Paul Gauntlett watched the Mr. Sleeches till they disappeared at the -farther end of the avenue, amid the shadows of the trees. - -"I am thankful they're gone without me doing them a mischief; but the -colonel said to me, `Paul, take charge of this place till you deliver it -up to my nephew, the captain.' And that is what I hope to do," -soliloquised the old soldier. - -He stood for some minutes inside the porch, with his hands clasped -before him in a stand-at-ease position. His plans were speedily formed. -There were four stout fellows he could rely on generally employed about -the grounds. He placed them, with thick oaken cudgels in their hands, -two at a time, to watch the approaches to the hall, while he himself, -armed in a similar manner, continued at intervals night and day to pace -round and round the house, to see, as he said to himself, that the -sentries were on the alert. - -Once or twice Mabel caught sight of him, and wondered what he was about; -but he did not think it necessary to inform her and her aunt of his -plans. His chief post was the front porch, where he would sit the -livelong day, keeping a watchful eye up and down the avenue. His only -entertainment was reading the newspaper, which was brought by a man on -horseback from Lynderton. It was a very different production from the -large sheet of news at the present day. - -Whatever were Mr. Sleech's plans, he seemed to have some hesitation in -putting them into execution; for day after day Paul was allowed to keep -his post unmolested. - -One morning the groom brought the paper which had arrived the evening -before from London, and as the ladies were out in the grounds, Paul took -upon himself to peruse it first. He had spelt down two or three -columns, when his eye fell on a paragraph in which the name of his -Majesty's frigate the "Brilliant" was mentioned. He read it eagerly. -The paper trembled in his hands. "We regret to state" (so it ran) "that -we have received information of the loss of HúMú's frigate the -`Brilliant,' on her passage out to the North American station. She -struck on an iceberg, and soon afterwards foundered, eight persons only -in one of her boats being saved, out of the whole ship's company, -including one lieutenant and a midshipman. Captain Everard and the rest -of the officers and ship's company met a watery grave." [The names of -the survivors were then mentioned.] "The boat reached Halifax, those in -her having suffered fearful hardships, and they have now been brought -home in the `Tribune.'" The old soldier let the paper sink down by his -side. - -"The captain gone!" he murmured, in a low voice--"the captain gone, and -no one to stand by Miss Mabel; and that poor lad, too, on whom she had -set her young heart. He lost! Oh, it will break it, it will break it." - -Paul's courage failed him when he had to tell the two ladies of their -grievous bereavement. - -While still trying to bring his mind to consider what he should do, he -saw a person approaching the house by the avenue. He clutched his stick -and threw up his head. It might be Mr. Sleech or one of his myrmidons. -He would do battle with them to the death, at all events. The stranger -approached; Paul kept eyeing him. His scrutiny was more satisfactory -than he had expected. - -"He does not look like one of Mr. Sleech's villains," he said to -himself. - -The stranger came close up, without hesitation, to Paul, whose aspect -was, however, somewhat threatening. - -"I think I know you, my friend," said the stranger, with a kind -expression, though his look was sad. "I have come to inquire about a -young man in whom I am deeply interested. I find that he was here some -time back. I have been enabled to trace him. I speak of Harry Tryon. -Do you know anything of him?" - -"If you will tell me who you are, sir, it may be I will answer that -question," said Paul. - -"I am Roger Kyffin, Harry Tryon's guardian. Will that satisfy you, my -friend?" was the answer. - -"Ah, that it will, sir," answered Paul, in a tone of sadness which -struck Mr. Kyffin. - -"Can you give me any account of the lad?" asked Mr. Kyffin, in an -anxious voice. - -"He went and entered aboard the `Brilliant,' and now he's gone, sir; -gone!" answered Paul. "He and the captain both together. They lie many -fathom deep in the cold ocean out there. I have been over the spot. -There, sir, read what is writ there; that tells all about it." And the -old soldier handed Mr. Kyffin the newspaper. - -Roger Kyffin read it with moistened eyes, and a choking sensation came -in his throat. - -"It is too true, I am afraid. The account is fearfully circumstantial!" -he ejaculated, as he read on, searching about for any further notice of -the event. - -"But are you certain my dear boy was on board the `Brilliant'? What -evidence have you?" - -"Certain sure, sir," answered Paul. "Our Mary, who was going to marry -Jacob Tuttle, saw him just as the ship was sailing, and our Miss Mabel -knows all about it. She knew he was with the captain. Poor dear young -lady! it will break her heart, and Mary's, too, and Madam Everard's, -too, and mine if it was not too tough. I wish that I had received -marching orders with the colonel not to see this day; and yet it is a -soldier's duty to stand fast at his post, and that's what the colonel -told me to do, and that's what, please God, I will do, and look after -these poor ladies, and little Mary, too, and widow Tuttle: they will all -want help. Oh, sir! when a battle's fought or a ship goes down with all -her crew it's those on shore feel it. I used not to think about that -when I was fighting, but now I know how poor women feel, and children -left at home." - -"Rightly spoken, my friend," said Roger Kyffin, grasping Paul's hand. -"You feel for the fatherless and widow. It is a right feeling; it's a -divine feeling; it's as our Father in heaven feels. Have all my hopes -come to this?--thus early cut off, my boy, my Harry! Let me look at -that paper again. I must try and see the people who are mentioned here. -They may tell us how it happened. Might they, notwithstanding this -account, by some means have escaped?" - -"I know what it is to be on board a foundering ship in the midst of the -stormy ocean, darkness around, strong men crying out for fear of death, -the boats swamped alongside. Words of command scarcely heard, or if -heard not attended to, and then, when the ship goes down, down, too, go -all things floating round her. No, sir, no, I cannot hope, and that's -the fact of it." - -"Have you told the ladies?" asked Mr. Kyffin. "It will be a fearful -thing breaking the matter to them." - -"I have not, sir, and I would as lief have my head blown off at the -cannon's mouth," answered Paul; "but it must be done, and what we have -to do is to consider the best way of breaking it to them. Never flinch -from what must be done; that's what the colonel always said." - -Roger Kyffin at first thought of requesting Dr. Jessop to communicate -the sad intelligence; but he was afraid lest in the meantime it might in -a more abrupt manner reach the ears of Miss Everard and her aunt. He -determined, therefore, to introduce himself, and in the presence of Paul -to mention the account he had seen in the papers, expressing at the same -time a hope which he himself could not help entertaining, that those in -whom they were most interested might have escaped. - -While Roger Kyffin and Paul were still discussing the matter, a carriage -rapidly approached the house. Three persons got out of it. One of them -started with a look of astonishment when he saw Mr. Kyffin. It was -Silas Sleech. He, however, quickly recovered his self-possession. - -"Sad news this, sir, the death of our relative the captain," he said; -"it's what sailors are liable to, though. Allow me to introduce my -father, Mr. Tony Sleech--Mr. Roger Kyffin. Although fortune may smile -on me, I don't purpose yet deserting business and Idol Lane. `Business -is business,' as you've often observed, Mr. Kyffin, and I love it for -itself." - -"I really don't understand what you mean," said Mr. Kyffin. "How can -Captain Everard's death affect you?" - -"Ah! I see you are not acquainted with the state of the case," said Mr. -Silas. "We won't trouble you with it. My father and I have come to -condole with the ladies who are now staying here, on their bereavement, -and to tell them that we, who are heirs-at-law, beg that they will not -trouble themselves to move for the next two or three days. After that, -you see, it would be very inconvenient for us to be kept out of the -property." - -Silas evidently said this more for Paul Gauntlett's information than for -Mr. Kyffin's, though his eye dared not meet that of the old soldier. -Paul clutched the stick which seldom left his grasp. The moment for -action had arrived. In another instant the Mr. Sleeches--father and -son--would have felt its force, had not a third person, who had got out -of the carriage, stepped forward. He had from the first kept his eye -upon Paul, and now saw by the movement of his hand that he meditated -mischief. - -"I am an officer of the law, and have been brought to see that the law -is respected," he said, stepping up to Paul. "You had better not use -that stick, that's all. Mr. Sleech has sworn that he expects forcibly -to be, kept out of this property, which is legally his; therefore let -any one at his peril attempt to interfere with his proceedings." - -"He never swore a truer word in his life," exclaimed Paul, clutching his -stick. "I care for the law, and I respect the law, but I don't respect -such sneaking scoundrels as you and he," exclaimed the old soldier, -lifting his stick with a savage look. - -Silas sprang down the steps, knocking over his father in his descent. - -The constable eyed the old soldier. Though his locks were grey, he -looked like no mean antagonist. The man seemed doubtful whether it -would be wise to attack him. - -"I call all here to witness that I have been assaulted in the execution -of my duty by this man, the attendant of the late Colonel Everard," he -said, as he also retreated more slowly down the steps. - -"Do you intend to prevent the rightful owners from taking possession of -this their rightful property?" he exclaimed, from a safe position at the -bottom of the steps, at the top of which stood Paul, still flourishing -his stick. - -"The rightful owners have got the property, and the rightful owners will -keep it," answered Paul. - -The Mr. Sleeches and their companion on this retired to a distance, to -consult apparently what steps they would next take. - -"You must not attempt to impede the officer in the execution of his -duty, my friend," said Mr. Kyffin, "you will gain nothing by so doing." - -"I don't expect to gain anything," answered Paul. "I am only obeying -the colonel's orders in keeping the house against all intruders. If -these people aren't intruders, I don't know who are." - -"If they have the law with them we must not interfere," again repeated -Mr. Kyffin. "I am anxious to break the sad news to the ladies before -these men do so abruptly. I should have thought better of Silas Sleech; -but I suppose he has been urged on by his father." - -"One's no better than the other, in my opinion," muttered Paul. -"However, sir, if you will tell the poor ladies what has happened in as -gentle a way as possible, I will bless you for it. As for me, I could -not do it, that I could not." - -With a sad heart Mr. Kyffin took his way through the grounds, hoping to -fall in with Mabel and her aunt. Paul Gauntlett in the meantime kept -guard at the door, while two other stout fellows with bludgeons -appearing round the corner of the house, induced the besiegers to keep -at a respectful distance. - -Mr. Kyffin soon met the two ladies. He had no doubt who they were, and -at once introduced himself. The result of his announcement, though made -as cautiously as possible, can better be imagined than described. - -"If it is so, God's will be done!" said Madam Everard, whose whole -thoughts were centred in her niece, whom she and Roger Kyffin with -difficulty bore to the house. The news soon flew around the place, and -Dr. Jessop hearing it at once repaired to Stanmore, where he found his -old friend Roger Kyffin. - -For several days Mabel lay almost unconscious, attended carefully by Dr. -Jessop, through whose speedy arrival, in all human probability, her life -had been saved. - -Scarcely had she begun to recover, than Mr. Sleech, armed with further -authority, arrived at the Park. Mr. Wallis was in consultation with -Madam Everard. She and her niece must remove at the bidding of her -brother-in-law. - -"Nothing can be done," said Mr. Wallis. "At all events, no attempt must -be made to prevent his being admitted into the house." With a heavy -heart Paul Gauntlett heard the lawyer's decision, though even then he -seemed very doubtful whether he ought to submit to Madam Everard's -orders. - -"I would rather a thousand times have fought it out to the last, and -died in the breach," he exclaimed, dashing his stick on the floor. -"However, if it must be, it must be, and it's not the first time a -scoundrel has gained the day and got into the place of an honest man." - -Paul had abundance of occupation for the remainder of his stay at -Stanmore. - -With a countenance in which sorrow, anger, and indignation were blended, -he assisted in packing up the property belonging to Madam Everard and -her niece. This was at once conveyed to Lynderton, where a house had -been secured for them. In as short a time as possible they removed from -Stanmore Park with everything they possessed. Scarcely were they out of -the house than Mr. Sleech and his family took possession. - -Silas, however, lost the satisfaction of taking up his abode at the Park -as the owner, for Mr. Coppinger informed him that he must either give up -his situation or return to the counting-house. He selected the latter -alternative, greatly to Mr. Kyffin's surprise. The estimation in which -that gentleman held Mr. Silas Sleech had of late been considerably -lowered. He once had thought him a hard-working, plodding, honest -fellow who could be thoroughly trusted--a valuable man in a -counting-house. Several circumstances had of late come under Mr. -Kyffin's notice with regard to Silas Sleech's mode of life. What he saw -of him at Stanmore and heard of him at Lynderton had also yet further -lowered him in his estimation. His mind was one especially addicted to -forming combinations. He put several things he had seen and heard of -Mr. Sleech together. To this he added his own opinion on certain -documents which Mr. Sleech had produced, with apparent unwillingness, to -criminate Harry. - -He also found from the porter in Idol Lane that the two young men had -been in the constant habit of going out together, and very often not -returning till a late hour. These and other circumstances which need -not be narrated, made Mr. Kyffin resolve to watch very narrowly the -proceedings of Mr. Sleech for the future. Suspicion is more easily -aroused than quieted. On further inquiries he had no doubt that the -letter for which Silas Sleech had called during his absence, addressed -to his house at Hampstead, was from Harry, and that it had been -purposely withheld, although Silas declared, when taxed with receiving -it, that he had forwarded it to Ireland. Altogether there was a fair -prospect that the rogueries of Mr. Silas Sleech would be brought to -light. Still, however, he sat at his desk, working on with apparently -the greatest diligence, and the same unmoved countenance as usual. - -In the meantime Mr. Sleech had taken possession of Stanmore for his son, -and he and his family were making themselves thoroughly at home in their -own fashion. They were somewhat indignant that the neighbourhood did -not immediately call and pay that respect which their relatives had been -accustomed to receive. It cannot be supposed that Mr. Wallis, nor even -Dr. Jessop, had been silent with regard to the way Mr. Sleech had -behaved to his sister-in-law and niece, while Paul Gauntlett took every -opportunity of describing how he had defended the house, and how they -had ultimately outmanoeuvred him. - -CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. - -ON THE RAFT. - -We must now go back to a solitary raft which bore Captain Everard, Harry -Tryon, and Jacob Tuttle tossing on the bosom of the wide Atlantic. The -sea, after the foundering of the frigate, had gone down, and several -casks had floated, which had been secured by the occupants of the raft. -One contained bread, another meat, and a third, more valuable still, -water. By these means there seemed a prospect that those on the raft -might preserve their lives. Still, as day after day passed by, and -their provisions decreased, the fate from which they had at one time -expected to escape, again appeared to approach them. - -Eagerly they strained their eyes, in the hope of seeing a sail, but the -sun rose and the sun went down again and still they floated all lonely -on the ocean. The last drop of water was expended, not a particle of -food remained. They knew that a few days might probably end their -existence. Harry Tryon kept up his spirits, and endeavoured to sustain -those of Captain Everard, who felt acutely the loss of his ship. Harry, -however, had not made himself known to him, while Jacob Tuttle always -addressed him by the name of Brown. One of their number was sinking -fast, another poor fellow had become delirious. It seemed too likely -that they would drop off one by one till none remained upon the raft. -Again the weather became threatening. A dense mist lay over the water. -Few of those on the raft expected to see another daybreak. At length, -however, the dawn appeared, but still the mist surrounded them. -Suddenly it broke, and the bright sun burst forth and shed his rays on -the white canvas of a vessel close to them. They shouted and waved. -Their voices could not have been heard, but they were seen. The vessel -bore down upon them, and in a few minutes they were hoisted safely on -board. - -The vessel was from the Saint Lawrence, homeward bound. They were -treated with kindness. The weather was fine. For many days they made -good progress. They were expecting in the course of another day to -sight the Irish coast. A gale sprung up. They were driven off the -coast. The brig was dismasted, and lay helpless on the tossing ocean. -Just when about to get up jury masts, a strange sail hove in sight. She -was a French privateer, and the battered vessel became her prize. The -officers of the merchantman, with Captain Everard and part of the -English crew, were taken on board the privateer; but several men, among -whom were Jacob Tuttle and Harry, were left on board the brig to assist -the prize-master in navigating her into port. Fortunately, however, on -her voyage the prize was separated from the privateer, and was -recaptured by a British man-of-war, to whose decks Harry and Tuttle, -with several other able-bodied seamen, were transferred, while the prize -was sent into Falmouth. - -Harry soon discovered that all ships in the British navy were not alike, -and he and Tuttle often wished themselves on board the "Brilliant," -under the command of Captain Everard. - -CHAPTER NINETEEN. - -THE MUTINY AT THE NORE, AND HOW THE HERO BECAME IMPLICATED IN IT. - -Once more Harry gazed on the coast of England. He felt an earnest -longing to go on shore and see Mabel. He wished to tell her that her -father had escaped death, and that, although a prisoner, he might soon -return home. The "Latona," the frigate on board which Harry found -himself, sailed swiftly up the Channel, and rounding the Isle of Wight, -came to an anchor at Spithead. A large fleet lay there, under the -command of Lord Bridport. Harry, with several others, asked leave to go -on shore. He was sternly refused. The captain of the frigate was one -of those men who seemed to take delight in tyrannising over their crews -and in making them miserable. No, not although Harry pleaded his -shipwreck and the suffering he had gone through. The captain turned a -deaf ear to his entreaties. Several ships' companies had similar causes -of complaint. - -Harry soon discovered that something was going forward among the men, -but he was not trusted. Disaffection rapidly spread among the crews of -the ships. At length they began to speak openly of their grievances. -Harry, finding it impossible to get on shore, wrote two letters: one to -Mabel, the other to Roger Kyffin. He told Mabel, that in all the -dangers he had gone through, he was true to her as ever. He described -the sinking of the ship, and his satisfaction at having been the means -of saving her father's life. His chief disappointment was at not -finding himself, as yet, on the quarter-deck, but still he trusted that -an opportunity would occur to enable him to make his way there. To Mr. -Kyffin he wrote as before, assuring him that he had heartily repented -the follies he had committed, and that he trusted he might have the -means of clearing his character from any imputation which his sudden -flight might have cast on it. It must be remembered that Harry was not -aware of the accusations brought against him, and that Sleech, instead -of defending him, had done his utmost to confirm the idea of his guilt. -The letter addressed to Mabel reached Lynderton, but being addressed to -Stanmore Park, was sent there by the postmaster, an especial ally of Mr. -Sleech. That gentleman received it, and he had an idea that it might -contain some information: at all events, it might be worth perusal. His -colour changed somewhat as he read on. - -"The captain alive!" he exclaimed. "So ho! That may give trouble. I -wish he was fathoms deep down in the ocean. And this young fellow, this -Mistress Mabel loves him! Well, if she marries him, there will be a -couple of beggars wedded. And she disdains my son Silas, the creature! -We will pull her proud heart down yet, in spite of her father. I don't -like the captain coming to life again, though; I must consult Silas. -Tom's a fool: there is no use talking to him. I must send for Silas -post haste. He has got more wits than all the family put together." - -The result of the letter Mr. Kyffin received has already been seen at -the commencement of the narrative. Before that he had begun to fear -that his ward was really dead. The letter had reassured him, but left -him very much in the dark as to where Harry was to be found. - -Harry had another letter to write; it was, however, not on his own -account, but on that of his friend Jacob, who was ignorant of an art not -generally possessed by seamen in those days. It was addressed to Mary -Tanner, Mabel's waiting-maid. - -"Well, Jacob," said Harry, as he sat down on the maindeck alongside a -gun with a piece of board as table, "I will write, gladly, but you must -tell me what to say." - -"Tell her I love her as much as ever, and that I am glad to come to life -again, if it was only for the sake of seeking her. And now just write -down, `I am glad to say that fine young chap, Harry Tú (you know who I -mean, Mary), saved our captain's life when the ship went down, and we -were on the raft; leaped overboard, swam ever so far, and brought him -safe to it. The captain, however, does not know to this day who he is, -and thinks he's one Andrew Brown.'" - -"I don't think I can say so much: it's like sounding my own praises," -observed Harry. - -"No, I tell you; it isn't you sounding them; it's me writing the letter, -and you just puts down what I say; so go ahead, Harry!" - -Harry continued. The letter was almost as long as his own, but he did -not grudge the trouble. It was at once despatched, but instead of being -addressed to Stanmore Park, it was directed to Widow Tuttle's cottage, -where, Jacob stated, it was his belief that Mary would frequently go, -and she might then give his mother the first account of his safety. - -Sailors' letters in those days often went astray. This, however, after -considerable delay, reached its destination; and sure enough, on that -very day, Mary was paying the widow a visit. Thus her sorrow was -quickly turned into joy; although somewhat subdued, when she found that -Jacob had no chance of leaving his ship to come and see her. After she -had read the letter two or three times to the widow, she hastened back -with it to rejoice the heart of poor Mabel. - -Important events were at this time taking place on board the fleet. -Some time before, petitions had been sent up from all the line-of-battle -ships at Portsmouth to Lord Howe, making various not unreasonable -requests. It had been observed, however, by one of the red-tape -officials, that all the petitions were written by one person, and -couched in the same language, and therefore it was believed that they -were the productions of some factious or mad-brained individual, who was -not worthy of notice. They were accordingly thrown on one side, and no -answers were returned. After this the fleet put to sea. On its return, -the seamen finding that their petitions had not been replied to, were -much irritated, justly feeling that those who were fighting their -country's battles were worthy of respect. Several violent and -disaffected persons were found on board every ship, and these worked on -the minds of the other seamen. A general correspondence was established -throughout the whole fleet, and at length it was unanimously agreed by -the respective crews, that no ship should lift an anchor till a redress -of grievances was obtained. - -The morning of the 13th of April arrived. Lord Bridport ordered the -signal for weighing to be thrown out on board the flag-ship. Instead of -obeying it, the seamen of the "Queen Charlotte" ran up the shrouds, and -gave three cheers as the signal for mutiny. This was answered in the -same manner by every ship in the fleet. The captains and their -officers, although taken by surprise by this sudden act of disobedience, -used every means in their power to persuade the men to return to their -duty, but all their exertions were ineffectual. They were, however, -treated with every respect, the seamen declaring that they were ready to -obey their orders as soon as they had received ample assurance from the -Government that their grievances would immediately be redressed. - -On the following day, two delegates were appointed from each ship, to -represent the whole fleet, and the admiral's cabin on the "Queen -Charlotte" was fixed as a place where they should meet to hold their -deliberations. On the 15th every man in the fleet was sworn to support -the cause in which he had embarked. They next proceeded to reeve ropes -at the foreyard-arms, as a sign that they intended to run up any who -disobeyed them, and after this they turned all officers out of the fleet -who had by their behaviour in any way offended them. The day after this -a committee of the Board of Admiralty arrived at Portsmouth, and made -several propositions to the delegates, hoping to induce them to return -to their duty. Nothing, however, would satisfy the seamen, unless the -arrangements were sanctioned by the King and Parliament, and a general -pardon guaranteed by proclamation. After this several admirals visited -them with the same want of success. Lord Bridport, in consequence, -struck his flag, declaring that he would not again hoist it. The ships -on this loaded all their guns, kept watch as at sea, and put everything -in a state of defence, confining all the officers to their respective -ships. Happily wise counsels prevailed on shore. The King especially -urged his Ministers to yield to the just demands of the seamen, and Lord -Bridport was sent on board the fleet, informing the men that all their -grievances were redressed, and that his Majesty had granted a pardon to -all offenders. These events took place while the "Latona," on board -which Harry and Jacob then were, was at Spithead. She was soon -afterwards sent round to the Thames. On her passage she encountered a -heavy gale, and was run into by another ship, and reduced almost to a -wreck. Being afterwards driven on shore, she received so much damage -that she was towed up, not without difficulty, into Sheerness, to -undergo a thorough repair. Her crew in the meantime were turned over to -other ships, Harry and Jacob being sent on board the "Sandwich," then -one of the ships forming the fleet at the Nore. Several of the most -mutinously disposed of the frigate's crew were also sent on board the -same ship. - -Grievously had poor Harry's expectation of rising in the service been -disappointed! Sent about from ship to ship, he had no means of becoming -known to his superior officers, nor had any opportunity been afforded -him for distinguishing himself. The romance, too, which he expected to -find in a life at sea had terribly worn off. He was among rough, -uneducated men, and although many of them were kind-hearted, generous, -and humane, there were not a few ruffians and villains of all sorts. - -Some of these, when they discovered that he was a gentleman by birth, -took especial pleasure in annoying him. He had not failed, however, in -obtaining a certain amount of position among them, while he was -respected by those who knew him best. One of the men on board -especially took notice of him: his name was Richard Parker. He was a -clever fellow; had been, Harry heard, a petty officer; but for -disrespectful conduct to his superiors had been disrated. This seemed -to rankle in his heart. He possessed, too, a certain amount of -education, and he felt himself, and perhaps really was, equal in that -respect to many officers. - -Parker had made it his business to discover all the most mutinously -disposed men in his own ship, as also by degrees on board the other -ships of the fleet--thus, in course of time, there were several hundred -men scattered about the fleet ready to obey any commands he might issue. -What his ultimate aims were Harry could not discover. Parker soon saw -that he must proceed carefully with Harry, if he wished to secure his -assistance. To Harry, indeed, his plans appeared very moderate, and all -calculated really to forward the best interests of the seamen. - -"I must trust to you, Brown, then to help me," said Parker. "You are -just the fellow I want for a right-hand man, on whom I may thoroughly -rely. If men like you and I, and others of sense and education, don't -watch over the welfare of our poor fellow-seamen, depend upon it they -will soon again be treated as they were before. To my mind, although we -have gained something by the little outbreak of the fleet at Spithead, -we have not gained enough, and more must be done. Brown, I know you -will help me. I want to send letters round to each ship in the fleet, -and advise the men to select delegates, as was done at Spithead." - -Harry saw no reason for refusing, and wrote letters, which Parker -sighed. His advice was implicitly followed, and in a short time -delegates from all the ships arrived on board the "Sandwich," which at -that time carried the flag of Vice-Admiral Buckner. A council of -delegates was formed, and Richard Parker was appointed president. -Certain petitions were drawn up, which were sent to the Admiralty. The -principal part of them were refused, but the men were promised -forgiveness if they would at once return to their duty. Admiral -Buckner, who delivered this message, was laughed at in return, and the -boats of the fleet being instantly manned, the crews went into the -harbour, and brought out all the gunboats, and proceeded to the Great -Nore. As they passed the fort at Sheerness, they fired at it in -defiance, though without doing any damage. On their return they struck -the flag of Vice-Admiral Buckner, and hoisted the red flag for mutiny in -its stead. All the ships also which lay near Sheerness were compelled -to drop down to the Great Nore, in order to concentrate the scene of -their operations. Among them was the "Saint Fiorenzo," which had just -been fitted up to carry one of the royal princesses, just married to the -Prince of Wurtemburg, over to Germany. Harry and Jacob talked over the -proceedings of their shipmates. They could not but perceive that they -were very dangerous, and, indeed, more serious grievances having been so -speedily redressed, utterly unjustifiable. Still Harry was -unfortunately committed to the cause of the mutineers, especially from -having written the letters, and otherwise aided Parker. - -Parker doubted him, but still treated him with considerable attention. -Vain were all the efforts made by the Commissioners of the Admiralty to -bring the crews back to obedience. So bold, indeed, did the delegates -become, that they landed in various places, and supplied themselves with -the provisions they required. It was their constant custom to land at -Sheerness, where they held conferences with the greatest publicity, and -afterwards paraded the streets, with flags flying and music playing, -Parker, as the admiral of the rebel fleet, marching at the head of the -procession. They went on board, also, all the ships they could visit, -persuading the crews to join them. In spite of Harry's objections to go -on shore, Parker insisted on several occasions that he should accompany -him. - -"I tell you, my lad, I am your friend, and will bear you harmless," -answered the rebel chief; "and go you must. I want you." - -Harry knew that it would be dangerous to disobey, but he did not -consider the still greater danger of being seen in company with the most -desperate of the mutineers. - -On one occasion, when he was on shore with Parker, after the delegates, -as usual, had paraded the streets, they entered the dockyard, where Lord -Keith, Sir Charles Grey, Admiral Buckner, and several other naval -officers, who had just come down from London, were assembled. - -The seamen were proceeding in their usual swaggering style across the -dockyard, when they came face to face with the venerable Admiral. He -fixed his stern gaze on them, asking them how mutineers and enemies of -their king and country thus dared to enter one of the royal dockyards? -Even Parker, bold and daring as he was, for an instant was staggered, -and found no words to reply. Just then, drums and fifes were heard, and -an infantry militia regiment marched into the dockyard. The delegates, -nothing daunted, drew up, facing them. - -Parker had taken the precaution to leave orders on board the ships that -should he and his companions be seized, two officers on board every ship -should instantly be taken hold of, and ropes rove at the end of the -foreyard-arm be made fast round their necks. - -Harry, who was among the delegates, found himself placed near several of -the officers of the militia regiment. Among them he saw a face he knew. -It was that of young Gilby, he was certain. The recognition appeared -mutual. Gilby nodded to him. - -"I heard that you were at sea, old fellow, but didn't quite expect to -find you in such company," he cried out. - -Harry made no answer, and endeavoured to avoid his gaze. Never had he -felt so humbled and annoyed. - -Among the group of naval officers were the captains of some of the ships -who had come on shore. One of them was the captain of the "Saint -Fiorenzo." A young midshipman of the same ship, standing near Lord -Keith, on seeing all the principal leaders of the mutineers together, -exclaimed-- - -"Why not make one bold cast, and catch them all in the same net? It -would quickly put a stop to the mutiny." - -The admiral turned round as he heard the voice: - -"You don't know what you are talking about youngster," he observed, -recollecting that the mutineers had their officers in their power on the -ships. - -In consequence of this they behaved with the greatest boldness and -audacity in the presence of the Lords of the Admiralty, and in spite of -the troops arrayed against them. A board was held by their lordships at -the Commissioner's house, when the delegates were invited to attend. -All expostulations, however, proved ineffectual. The mutineers -increased their demands, and grew more insolent in their behaviour. At -length their lordships, signifying to the seamen that no further -concessions would be granted, returned to town. - - -On this, further meetings were held on board the ships, at which Harry -was compelled by Parker to attend as his secretary. One day, in the -presence of Tuttle and several other seamen, Harry expostulated, telling -Parker that he did not approve of holding out after so many concessions -had been made. - -"The first man who disobeys my orders will have a bullet sent through -his head," exclaimed Parker, drawing a pistol. "Disobey me at your -peril, Andrew Brown," he continued, levelling the weapon. - -Harry stood firm. A murmur of disapprobation broke out among the men. - -"I don't care whether you agree or disagree, but I ask you again, Brown, -whether you will attend me as I order you or not?" - -"I will attend you if you force me, but again protest against your -proceedings." - -"Come into the cabin then," exclaimed Parker, fiercely, "and do as I -order you." - -Harry was compelled to obey. - -The delegates having assembled, a fierce discussion took place as to -their future proceedings. Some were for yielding: others, led by -Parker, determined to hold out; while a considerable number proposed, in -case their demands were still refused, to carry the fleet over to a -French port. This traitorous proposition was happily over-ruled by the -majority--indeed, many thought that if it was proposed to the men, they -themselves would refuse to obey. Finally it was determined to hold out, -in the hope of compelling the Government to yield. One of the means -taken by the mutineers was to blockade the Thames, and several ships -were moored across the river, to prevent a free passage up to London or -down. In order to concentrate their force also, the fleet which lay at -Sheerness was compelled to drop down to the Great Nore. The -line-of-battle ships were then drawn up in a line, about half a mile -from each other, with their broadsides abreast. In the space between -the line-of-battle ships, the merchantmen and other vessels which had -been detained were moored. As all communication was stopped with the -shore, the mutineers supplied themselves with water and provisions from -these vessels. - -All this time, strange as it may seem, the behaviour of the seamen -towards their officers, with a few exceptions, was perfectly respectful. - -One, however, was tarred and feathered. Two midshipmen were ducked, and -some few officers who were especially obnoxious to the mutineers were -sent on shore. Four seamen also were severely flogged for speaking -disrespectfully of the delegates. - -CHAPTER TWENTY. - -THE MUTINY QUELLED. - -The report of the commencement of the mutiny at Spithead had caused -great alarm among the merchants in London, as well as throughout the -country. This second, and far more serious, outbreak at the Nore made -many dread the very worst results. The courage and determination -exhibited by the King and others in authority soon restored confidence, -and active measures were taken to compel the rebellious crews to submit. -The shores on each side of the river were lined with batteries, the -forts at Tilbury and Sheerness and Gravesend were furnished with -furnaces for red-hot shot. The buoys at the Nore and along the coast -were taken up, so that the ships would have had considerable difficulty -in getting away. Many, indeed, would probably have been stranded in the -attempt. - -Off Woolwich lay the "Neptune," a 98-gun Ship, which was manned by -volunteers raised by the subscriptions of the merchants of London. A -little lower down was the "Lancaster," 64, whose crew had returned to -their duty; as also the "Agincourt," with several gunboats. A number of -merchant vessels were also fitted up as gunboats, and manned by -volunteer crews. These were placed under the command of Sir Erasmus -Gower, as Commodore, and ordered to drop down the river, and to proceed -forthwith to attack the rebels. - -We must now return on board the "Sandwich." Parker, who had assumed the -title of Admiral, was still implicitly obeyed by the crews of most of -the ships. Notice was brought to him, however, that a few were showing -signs of disaffection. This, possibly, might have made him tremble for -the stability of his power, and he resolved to collect all the ships he -had reason to suspect closer round him. In shore lay two ships at this -time: the "Clyde," commanded by Captain Cunningham, and the "Saint -Fiorenzo," commanded by Sir Harry Burrard Neale. - -The "Saint Fiorenzo" had sent delegates to the fleet, but they had from -the first voted for moderate measures. Accordingly, Parker sent an -order to the two ships to come in and anchor close to the "Sandwich." -Not long afterwards they were seen to get under weigh. - -One of them, however, the "Saint Fiorenzo," soon afterwards brought up -again; and the other, instead of obeying Parker's orders, stood up the -river towards Sheerness. Parker, in a great rage, ordered a body of -delegates to go on board the "Saint Fiorenzo," and to bring her in and -place her between the "Inflexible" and "Director," when her sails were -to be unbent, and her gunpowder sent on board the "Sandwich." The -delegates, on going on board the "Saint Fiorenzo," abused her crew for -allowing the "Clyde" to escape them without firing into her, and -threatened them with the vengeance of Admiral Parker, if they did not -obey his orders. In spite of the threatening aspect of the "Saint -Fiorenzo's" crew, her delegates expressed their readiness to comply, and -at length the mutineers took their departure. A short time afterwards -the "Saint Fiorenzo" was seen to get under weigh, and to stand out under -all sail towards the fleet. On she came till she got in between the two -line-of-battle ships. By the orders of Parker, who seems to have -suspected her intentions, the crews of the different ships stood at -their guns, which were double-shotted, with the lanyards in their hands, -ready to sink her. Her crew had been made aware of this by the -delegates. Suddenly all her sheets were let fly, her helm was put hard -aport, and she shot ahead of the "Inflexible." The moment afterwards -her brave captain, Sir Harry Burrard Neale, sprang on deck, crying out, -"Well done, my lads!" A loud shout rose from the deck of the "Saint -Fiorenzo." On seeing this, Parker ran up the signal to fire, the -"Sandwich" herself setting the example; and immediately the whole fleet -of thirty-two sail began blazing away at the "Saint Fiorenzo." The shot -fell as thick as hail round her. Still she stood on, though of course -without returning the fire. There was a strong breeze, and she was a -fast ship. Though so many guns were firing at her, and she was -frequently hulled, not a rope was shot away, nor was a single man -killed, or even hurt. - -On she stood, and not till she had got to some distance did Parker think -of ordering any ship to pursue her. He walked the deck for some minutes -in a state of agitation. He was afraid of getting under weigh himself, -lest during his absence other ships might desert. He possibly thought -it very likely that if he ordered any other ship to pursue, her crew -might refuse to return. The seamen formed their own opinions on this -transaction, and came to the conclusion that there was not that -unanimity in the counsels of their leaders, which they boasted of -possessing. Even now they desired to evince their loyalty, and on the -4th of June, which was his Majesty's birthday, the whole fleet fired a -royal salute, and dressed the ships with flags as usual. The red flag -was, however, kept flying at the maintopmast head of the "Sandwich." - -One of the captains most beloved by the seamen was the Earl of Northesk, -commanding the "Monmouth," a 64-gun ship. The mutineers having their -confidence somewhat shaken, determined to request him to try and effect -a reconciliation with the Government. The delegates went on board the -"Monmouth," and invited him to meet the mutineer committee on board the -"Sandwich." His lordship accordingly went on board, attended by one -officer, and found sixty delegates seated in the state cabin, with -Parker at their head. He undertook to carry up their terms to the -Government, pledging his honour to return on board, with a clear and -positive answer, within fifty-four hours. He told them, however, that -from the unreasonableness of their demands, they must not expect -success. He immediately proceeded to London, where, after conferring -with the Admiralty, he accompanied Earl Spencer to the King. - -As might have been expected, the demands of the seamen were rejected as -exorbitant and unreasonable. An officer immediately carried down the -refusal of the Lords of the Admiralty to the rebel fleet. Soon after -this was known, several ships attempted to make their escape from the -mutineers. One, the "Leopard," succeeded and got up the Thames. -Another, the "Repulse," unfortunately ran aground, when she was fired on -by the "Monmouth;" and one of the officers lost his leg, and a seaman -was wounded. The "Ardent," the third ship, effected her escape, but -passing the "Monmouth" was fired at, and several of her crew were killed -and wounded. Confusion and discord now pervaded the rebel councils. On -the 10th of June, many other mutinous ships struck the red flag, and the -merchant vessels were allowed to proceed up the river. On the 12th, -most of the other ships also hauled down the rebel flag, only seven -keeping it flying. The next day the remainder intimated an inclination -to submit. However, the crews in all cases were not unanimous, and many -desperate struggles took place on board the ships between the partisans -of the officers and those who still wished to hold out. Happily at this -juncture of affairs an officer arrived on board the "Sandwich," with the -King's proclamations and Acts of Parliament, of which it appeared that -Parker had kept the crews ignorant. - -The deception which had been practised on the men by the delegates so -enraged them, that the crew of the "Sandwich" carried the ship under the -guns of the fort of Sheerness. As soon as she anchored, a boat with a -guard of soldiers came off, and making their way on deck, ordered Parker -to deliver himself up. As they appeared, one of the delegates belonging -to the "Standard," who was on board, pointing a pistol at his own head, -shot himself dead. Parker, as soon as he heard that a boat had come -off, placed himself under the protection of four of the ship's crew, the -rest of the seamen threatening forthwith to hang him. He and about -thirty more delegates were immediately handed over to the soldiers, and -they were landed amidst the hisses of the surrounding multitude, and -committed to the prison in the garrison of Sheerness. The first batch -of mutineers having been so easily captured, the rest of the -ringleaders, and all others in any way implicated in the mutiny on board -the various ships, were immediately placed under arrest. In the list of -the unhappy men to be tried for their lives was the name of Andrew -Brown. - -Poor Harry! he felt grievously his position. He had protested against -the proceedings of the mutineers, but how could he prove this? He could -not deny that he had written out a number of documents issued by Parker, -and the excuse that he had done so under compulsion was too commonly -made by others to allow him to have much hope of its being believed in -his case. Up the Thames was the prison ship. Here Harry, with a number -of mutineers, was conveyed. Many of his companions were desperate -characters, who seemed only to dread the punishment they might receive. -He felt that unless he could be proved innocent, death was the only -alternative he could desire. Yet it was hard to die. He had looked -forward to a life of happiness with one to whom his undivided heart was -given; one well worthy of the affections of the best of men. His honour -was gone. His name, if it was known, would be blasted, and he must die -the death of the worst of criminals. One gleam of hope alone remained. -As he was led off by the soldiers sent to apprehend the mutineers, Jacob -Tuttle had shaken his hand, and though he did not speak, had given him a -significant look, which had evidently been intended to keep up his -spirits. Happily Tuttle had taken no part in the mutiny, and had been -among the first to urge his shipmates to return to their duty. Still -how could an illiterate seaman, unable even to write, be able to help -him? - -The trial of Richard Parker very soon after this took place on board the -"Neptune," of 98 guns, off Greenhithe, a few days having been allowed -him to prepare for his defence. No trial could have been more fair or -just. Parker defended himself with considerable ability. Nothing, -however, could be stronger than the evidence brought to prove that he -was one of the chief instigators of the mutiny, and that he had acted as -the chief of the mutineers. The court accordingly adjudged him to -death. Parker heard his sentence with a degree of fortitude and -composure which excited the astonishment of all present. He submitted, -he said, still asserting the rectitude of his intention. - -"Whatever offences may have been committed," he added, "I hope my life -will be the only sacrifice. Pardon, I beseech you, the other men. I -know that they will return with alacrity to their duty." - -On the 29th of June, Parker was conveyed on board the "Sandwich," the -ship on board which he had acted _so_ prominent a part. On being -conducted to the quarter-deck, the chaplain informed him that he had -selected two psalms appropriate to his situation. Parker assenting, -said, "And with your permission, sir, I will add a third," and named -Psalm thirty-one. Prayers being ended, he arose from his knees and -asked the captain if he might be indulged with a glass of white wine. -On its being presented to him, he exclaimed, lifting up his eyes, "I -drink, first, to the salvation of my soul; and next, to the forgiveness -of all my enemies." He then begged that Captain Moss would shake hands -with him. This the captain did. He then desired that he might be -remembered to his companions on board the "Neptune," with his last dying -entreaty to them to prepare for their destiny and to refrain from -unbecoming levity. On being led to the scaffold on the forecastle, he -asked whether he might be allowed to speak. - -"I am not going to address the ship's company," he added; "I only wish -to acknowledge the justice of the sentence under which I suffer, and to -pray that my death may be considered a sufficient atonement for the -lives of others." - -Turning round, he then asked if any person would lend him a white -handkerchief. This, after a little delay, was handed to him. He then -begged that a minute might be allowed him to recollect himself, when he -kneeled down about that space of time. Then rising up, he said, with -considerable dignity, and perfect coolness, "I am ready," and firmly -walked to the extremity of the scaffold. For an instant he stood there, -full of life and strength, with a head to plan, and nerve to carry out -his objects. He dropped his handkerchief, the gun was fired, and he was -run up to the yard-arm. A struggle, and he was dead. - -For more than a month the court-martial continued sitting and trying the -other mutineers. A considerable number received sentence of death; -among them was Andrew Brown. Several were ordered to be flogged from -ship to ship, and others were confined in the Marshalsea prison for -certain periods. - -Parker's was the first death, but many of the other ringleaders were -directly afterwards executed at the yard-arms of their respective ships. -The prisoners were tried in succession, and the sentence was forthwith -carried out on those who were condemned to death. Harry fully expected -ere long to be called forth to undergo his sentence, and he came to the -resolution of not attempting any effort to escape his doom. - -CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. - -MABEL'S RESOLVE. - -Mabel and her aunt had taken up their residence for some time at the -small bow-windowed house in the upper part of the town of Lynderton. It -had been described as a very genteel residence for a spinster lady. To -say that it had neat wooden railings before it, and steps leading up to -the front door, kept scrupulously clean, will be sufficient to give an -idea of Mabel's new abode. The style of life the two ladies led was -very different to what they had been accustomed to. Mary remained as -general servant, while the cook, who had grown fat and aged at Stanmore, -entreated that she might accompany her old mistress. Paul Gauntlett -declared that the day he should be separated from them would be his -last. So he also was allowed to take up his abode in the bow-windowed -house, though his accommodation was limited in the extreme. All he -wanted was house-room. Wages he would not receive, and he had been too -long accustomed to forage for himself to require being fed. It cannot -be said that the family were reduced to complete poverty, still their -means were very scanty. Mabel had literally nothing, but an annuity had -been secured to Madam Everard on the Stanmore estates, which Mr. Sleech -could not touch, though he did his best to make it as small as possible -by putting her to considerable expense before she could obtain it. - -Strange to say, when Mabel heard that her father and Harry were still -alive, her regret for her loss of property was greater than it had been -previously. She had formed all sorts of plans for her future career. -As long as her aunt lived, she would attend to her. When she was called -away she would go out and teach, or enter some family as a governess. -Now, however, the case was altered. Her father would never consent to -her doing that, while she could no longer hope, as she had hoped, to -become the well-dowered wife of Harry Tryon. She loved him--that she -knew. Would he continue to love her? She had no doubt about that, but -would he have the power of giving her a home? Would he be able to -return to the position he had abandoned in Mr. Coppinger's -counting-house, and, with the assistance of his guardian, labour till he -had gained an independence? She thought Harry would be capable of -anything. Her father would, at all events, be ready to help him by -every means in his power. He surely could refuse nothing to the man who -had saved his life so bravely at the risk of his own. Her father had -always been looked upon as a man of great influence. It did not occur -to her that this arose from his being supposed to be the heir of -Stanmore--the owner of the borough, who could return two members at his -will. Poor girl! Captain Everard as he had been, and Captain Everard, -though a very good officer, without a vote in Parliament, and with his -pay only to support him, were very different persons. - -The Everards had always been Tories. Mr. Sleech supported the opposite -party, and was now giving all his influence to the Whig interest. - -The people in the neighbourhood, however, called very frequently at -Madam Everard's door to inquire after her. Among the few admitted was -the Baron de Ruvigny. Each time he came he talked more and more of the -Coppingers, and Mabel could not help discovering that he was completely -captivated by the charms of Sybella Coppinger. He brought also all the -news of the day. From Paul Gauntlett, however, who read the paper -through, they learned chiefly the progress of the mutiny. - -Mabel at length became very anxious about Harry. She did not know in -what ship he was serving, and though she felt sure that he would not -join the mutineers, she could not help dreading that he might be placed -in danger in consequence of what was occurring. Her anxiety was -increased by not hearing from him as she had expected. She was certain -that he had not forgotten her. Her confidence, indeed, in his faith and -love remained unshaken. At last Mary received a letter in an unknown -hand. It was very unlike the one which Harry had written at Tuttle's -dictation, but this also professed to be from Jacob. It was short, for -the writer was evidently not much accustomed to the use of the pen. It -ran thus: "Dear Mary,--This comes to tell you that we're in a mess. -Some of our fellows have been holding out against the Government, and -have got nothing for their pains. We have had a number of delegates -going about from ship to ship, and they have been and got some of -themselves hung, and not a few flogged round the fleet. Sarves them -right, say I. I should not mind it, if it was not for a shipmate, you -knows who, who has been put in limbo. His name abroad is Andrew Brown, -but your young lady knows him, and knows that that is not his name. -Worser still, he's going to be hung. If I could get liberty, I'd go and -see you and tell you all. It's a sad thing, and I would give my eyes to -save the young chap.--Yours to command, Jacob Tuttle--his cross X." - -Mary, who had not deciphered the letter very clearly, brought it to her -mistress. As Mabel finished it, the paper fell from her hands. A -deadly pallor overspread her countenance, and she fell back fainting -into the arms of her attendant. Happily, Paul at that moment came into -the sitting-room, and assisted the damsel in placing her mistress on a -sofa. While Mary ran to get restoratives, and to call Madam Everard, -his eye fell on the paper. Seeing the rough style of handwriting, he -thought that he might with propriety read it over. - -"That's it," he said to himself; "it's that young gentleman, he's gone -and done something desperate. We must get him out of the scrape, or it -will be the death of Miss Mabel." - -Mabel quickly returned to consciousness and found Paul and Mary standing -near her. Madam Everard had gone out. - -"I know all about it, Miss Mabel," said Paul, "and I want to help you." - -"Do you think this can allude to Harry?" she asked; "I mean Mr. Tryon." - -"Too likely," said Paul; "I won't deny it, because it's clear to my mind -that something must be done to save him. Cheer up, Miss Mabel. We will -do it if it can be done. There's that old gentleman who takes an -interest in Master Harry--his guardian, you call him. I would go to -him. He would be the best man to say what can be done, and I am sure he -would do it." - -"Oh! that he would, for I am confident that Harry is innocent. He never -would have done anything worthy of death. I will go up to the Admiralty -and plead for him; I will tell them who he is. They would never allow -him to be executed; or if they will not listen to me, I will go to the -King himself. I will plead with his Majesty; he will surely have power -to save him." - -CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. - -UNEXPECTED EVIDENCE. - -At an early hour of the day, towards the end of June, two persons on -horseback might have been seen proceeding through the New Forest. The -sun, just rising, cast his rays amid the boughs of the trees, throwing -long shadows over the greensward. Here and there light-footed deer, -cropping the dewy grass, started as they heard the footsteps of the -horses, and went bounding away farther into the depths of the forest. -One of the persons was a young lady mounted on a light, active palfrey; -while the other, a tall old man, bestrode a large, strong steed, well -capable of bearing his weight. A brace of formidable-looking pistols -were stuck in his holsters, while another pair of smaller dimensions -were placed in the belt he wore round his waist. In his hand he carried -a thick stick, which might have proved no bad substitute for a -broadsword. - -"It was indeed thoughtful of you, Paul," said the young lady, looking -round at her companion, without in any way checking the rapid speed at -which she was proceeding. "I little expected to mount Beauty again, and -could not have accomplished our journey so well, I am sure, on any other -horse." - -"Why, Miss Mabel, do you see, when we had to surrender Stanmore to Old -Sleech, I thought to myself, neither he nor any of his young cubs shall -ever mount the horse my dear young mistress has ridden; so as soon as it -was dark one night, I trotted him off to my good friend Farmer Gilpin, -and says I to the farmer, `You take care of this horse, and let no one -have him till I come and fetch him away; he's not stolen, and you need -not be afraid of the halter. I will pay you for his keep when I fetch -him away.' Mr. Sleech, cunning as he is, had not made a list of the -horses, so did not miss Beauty; besides, she was yours, and not his, -though he would have claimed her; and that's the long and short of my -story, Miss Mabel." - -"Thank you, thank you, indeed," answered Mabel. "Do you think Beauty -will get through the journey in a couple of days?" - -"I am afraid not, Miss Mabel," answered Paul. "I would advise you to -sleep twice on the road, and then you will get in fresh the third day, -and be able at once to go to Mr. Thornborough's. He was a friend of the -colonel, I know, and from what you tell me, I am sure he will give you -as much assistance as anybody." - -Madame Everard, when she heard the dangerous situation in which Harry -Tryon was placed, could not bring herself to refuse Mabel's wish to set -off immediately to try what could be done to assist him. She, however, -had advised her going at once to her godfather, Mr. Thornborough, who, -being a man of influence, and possessing great knowledge of the world, -was able to render her more help than Mr. Kyffin could. She had, -however, wisely written to Harry's guardian, telling him what she knew, -and also her purpose of going to the house of Mr. Thornborough. She was -too anxious to speak much during her ride. - -From the rapid rate at which she proceeded it was evident that she knew -the road thoroughly, as she had never even to ask her companion which -way to take. The two travellers had nearly reached the confines of the -forest, when suddenly she came upon a large party of men, surrounding -several light waggons. They were sitting on the ground with bottles and -provisions near them, while their horses stood tethered at green spots -close at hand. - -On being suddenly surprised by Mabel and old Paul, several of them -started up and seized their bridles. Paul's stick was instantly raised -in the air, as if about to come down on the heads of his assailants. - -"Avast there, mate!" sung out one of the men, "we're not going to -ill-treat you if you behave peaceably, but we want to know where you and -the young lady are going." - -"Oh, pray let us go!" exclaimed Mabel; "we are simply going to London on -a matter of great importance, and whoever you are we cannot do you any -harm." - -"Well, young lady, that may be true enough," answered one of the men; -"but you must just come and have a word with our captain. If he has no -objection, we don't want to keep you." - -"Pray let him come and see us immediately," said Mabel; "we are anxious -to be liberated without delay." - -The men, without heeding her request, led her horse and that of Paul a -little distance on one side, where, seated on the grass, enjoying a long -pipe, with a book at his elbow, and a cup of coffee before him, was a -person whose appearance betokened nothing of the smuggler or brigand. -As soon as he saw Mabel he started up, and inquired if he could be of -any service to her. She told him of the interruption she and her -attendant had received, and begged that she might be no longer detained. -"Yes, sir, I say it's a great shame, and times are very bad when a -young lady like Miss Everard, with her attendant, cannot ride through -the forest without being stopped by a gang of smugglers." - -"Miss Everard, I beg you many pardons," exclaimed the smuggler captain. -"My scoundrels are unable to distinguish one person from another. If -you will allow me I will accompany you some way on your road, so that I -may protect you from any similar annoyances." - -Saying this the captain sent for his horse, which he immediately -mounted, and rode alongside Mabel through the remainder of the forest. - -"I must ask your confidence, Miss Everard," he said; "I am an especial -friend of your father's. Indeed, I owe my life to his courage and -gallantry, and I shall be thankful of an opportunity to render you any -service in my power." - -"I know, sir, what you say is true," observed Paul, glancing at the -stranger. "I remember your coming to Stanmore that sad night, when Miss -Lucy was taken ill, and I was close by when Captain Everard and you were -speaking together. Are you not Captain Rochard?" - -"You are right, my friend," said the stranger. "By that name Captain -Everard knew me. Necessity, and not my will, compels me to associate -with these people," he continued; "not for the sake of making money, but -for another motive, believe me. You do not suppose that your father -would allow me his friendship did he believe that I was the leader of a -band of outlaws. I may some day tell you my motives of associating with -these men. To your father I owe my life, and that alone would make me -take an interest in you, young lady; but I may also tell you that I have -another reason. We are related, although not very nearly. Your -father's mother was a relation of my father. I never saw her, for she -died when I was very young; indeed, I am but a few years older than your -father." - -"You related to us? You know then the facts of the marriage of my -grandfather to my grandmother. How little did I expect to hear this. -You may be of the very greatest assistance to us." - -Captain Rochard assured Mabel that it would be a great satisfaction to -him to be so. She then told him of the loss of the certificate, and the -successful scheme which their relative Mr. Sleech had set up for -obtaining possession of the property. - -"For my own sake," she observed, "I care little for what has occurred; -but it will be a bitter thing for my father when he returns to find that -he has been deprived of the property he thought his own." - -Captain Rochard was silent for some minutes; then turning to Paul, he -asked suddenly-- - -"Do you know in what year the colonel's brother married?" - -"Yes, sir, I mind it well; it was the beginning of the war with France, -and much about the time that Frederick of Prussia opened his seven -years' war, and Admiral Byng did not beat the French in the first -action, and was shot in consequence. A difficult job Lieutenant Everard -had, too, to bring home his young baby, and escape the French cruisers. -I mind his coming home as well as if it had been yesterday, and Madam -Everard taking care of the little motherless boy, that's the captain -now--this young lady's father--as if he had been her own child, and the -poor lieutenant going to sea, and getting shot the next year. He died -as a brave officer might wish to die, on the deck of his ship, lashing -the enemy's bowsprit to his own mainmast, that she might not get away--" - -"But I forget dates; in what year was that?" asked Captain Rochard, -interrupting the old man, who might otherwise have run on to a much -further length in his recollections. - -"That was in the year '56 or '57 to the best of my mind," answered Paul. -"The captain's a little above forty, and it's about that time ago." - -"Thank you, my friend," said Captain Rochard; "I shall remember the -dates, and will put them down by-and-by. Your grandfather, I believe," -he continued, addressing Mabel, "married in the south of France, where -my relatives were residing at the time. Alas! this fearful revolution -has swept off many of them; but still some few, especially among the -older ones, survive. The young, and strong, and healthy were the chief -victims. I'll say no more. I'll do my best to aid your father, and -enable him to recover his rights. I wish that he was in England at -present, that I might consult with him first. I am quite willing, at -all risks, to go over to France, and to endeavour to bring over the -witnesses to the marriage, or the documents which may prove it." - -Mabel expressed her thanks to Captain Rochard, who now inquired what -business took her to London. She hesitated for some time. At last she -thought, "He's true and kind, and though he may not be able to assist -me, I shall have his sympathy and good wishes." She then told him -frankly of the dangerous position in which Harry Tryon was placed, of -course asserting her belief in his innocence. - -"That fine young fellow? I know him well," said the captain. "I am -sure he would not commit an unworthy action. I have more power to help -him than you may suppose. Give me all the particulars with which you -are acquainted, and I will try what can be done. Do you, however, -proceed in your undertaking; I have great hopes that your efforts will -not be without a happy result. That boy must not be put to death. I -would go through anything to save him." - -By this time they had reached the confines of the forest. Captain -Rochard said he must go back to his companions. He bade Mabel a kind -farewell, when she and Paul continued their journey towards London. -Beauty seemed to understand that he was on an important journey, for -never had he trotted so swiftly over the ground. Mabel knew the -importance of reserving his strength too much to allow him to break into -a canter, or to push him on in a gallop, though her own feelings might -have prompted her to do so. It was absolutely necessary during the heat -of the day to rest. A small inn appeared close to the road. Mabel -threw herself down on a little sofa in the room appropriated to her, at -the door of which Paul kept ward and watch till it was time again to -start. The horses, well groomed and fed, were then led forth, looking -almost as fresh as when they started in the morning. Thus, before -nightfall a large portion of the distance to London had been -accomplished. - -CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. - -IN MR. COPPINGER'S COUNTING-HOUSE. - -Mr. Stephen Coppinger had been for some time in town, leaving his family -at Lynderton. It was not a time when a mercantile man could neglect his -business. There was a great deal to do, for confidence had been -restored in the mercantile world after the mutiny of the fleet had been -completely put down. - -Silas Sleech was at his desk, and, like the rest of his companions, -busily employed. - -Mr. Kyffin did his best to attend to business, but his mind was greatly -disturbed. He could gain no tidings of his ward. All he could learn -was that he had left the ship in which he had returned to England, and -had gone on board another man-of-war. Too probably she was one of the -mutinous fleet. Mr. Kyffin heard of many men losing their lives in the -scuffles which ensued on board the ships when the loyal part of the crew -were struggling to restore the power into the hands of their officers. -Too probably Harry, on one side or the other--he hoped on the loyal -side--might have lost his life in one of these scuffles. He was sure -otherwise that the lad would have written to him. One letter might -possibly have miscarried, but he would not have gone so long without -writing a second or a third time. He was instituting, in the meantime, -all the inquiries in his power, but he could not hear the name of Harry -Tryon on board any of the ships. He was not aware, of course, that -Harry had changed his name, nor that it was a common custom with seamen -in those days to do so, for various reasons. Had he known of the -existence of Jacob Tuttle he might have applied to him, and he therefore -had not the same means of learning about him which Mabel possessed. - -On the arrival of the post one morning at Idol Lane Mr. Sleech received -a letter from his "respected father." The ordinary observer would have -discovered nothing in the countenance of Silas to indicate its contents. -He, however, folding it up, put it in his pocket, and forthwith betook -himself to the door of Mr. Coppinger's private room, at which he humbly -knocked. On being admitted, he explained to his principal that he had -received notice of the illness of his father and one of his sisters, and -that his presence, as the eldest son of the family, would be greatly -required. He therefore entreated that Mr. Coppinger would allow him to -set forth without delay for Stanmore. - -Mr. Coppinger was a kind-hearted man, and would on no account detain him -if Mr. Kyffin could manage to have his duties performed during his -absence. - -Silas, thanking his principal, withdrew, and in a humble tone of voice -entreated Mr. Kyffin to make the necessary arrangements. The head clerk -looked hard at Silas, who, though not easily abashed, let his eyes drop -before him. - -"Yes; if Mr. Coppinger gives you leave, I will certainly not detain -you," answered Mr. Kyffin. - -Silas was in a great hurry to be off. Quickly putting the books at -which he had been working in their places, he closed his desk and -hurried out of the office. Mr. Kyffin looked after him. - -"So great a villain never darkened that door before," he said to -himself. "May it be the last time he ever passes through it!" - -Under where Silas Sleech's hat and cloak had hung Mr. Kyffin saw a bunch -of keys. He had evidently dropped them in his hurry to leave the house. - -"I am the fittest person to take charge of these," said Mr. Kyffin to -himself, and he forthwith retired with them into Mr. Coppinger's room. -He there held a consultation of some length; then once more entering the -office, he waited till the hour of closing. The clerks were dismissed. -He and Mr. Coppinger alone remained in the office. Mr. Sleech's desk -was opened with one of the keys. Within was a strange assortment of -articles, and among others a small iron box, with Mr. Silas Sleech's -name painted outside. There were lottery tickets, and pawnbrokers' -duplicates, and packs of cards--some curiously marked--and dice which -had a suspicious tendency to fall with the higher numbers uppermost, and -letters from dames of scarcely doubtful character. - -"I have suspected as much for long," said Mr. Kyffin, "but I could not -well bring the proof home. This, however, will convince you that Silas -Sleech is not a trustworthy person." - -"Indeed it does," exclaimed Mr. Coppinger; "but see what this strong box -contains. Probably if he leaves such articles as this scattered about, -without thinking it necessary to conceal them, the contents of that box -are of a more damaging character." - -The box was opened by one of the keys of the bunch. - -"Ah!" exclaimed Mr. Kyffin, "here is a letter directed to me. It is the -one I have long missed from my unfortunate young ward, Harry Tryon. -Excuse me, sir, while I read its contents." - -Mr. Kyffin ran his eye over the letter. - -"The poor lad here gives an explanation of his conduct, and his reasons -for quitting London. He weakly yielded to the temptation thrown in his -way by Silas Sleech, that is very evident, but in no other respect do I -believe that he was criminal. However, we will look over the remainder -of these papers, and I trust then we shall have the means of exonerating -him still further. What do you think of these papers?" asked Mr. -Kyffin, holding a sheet up to Mr. Coppinger. - -On it was written over and over again the name of the firm, as signed by -Mr. Coppinger himself. Evidently the writer had been endeavouring to -imitate Mr. Coppinger's signature. He had done so very successfully. -Indeed, another paper was found containing a signature which Mr. -Coppinger declared to be genuine. It was clearly the copy for the -others. - -"Now I feel sure," said Mr. Kyffin, "that Silas Sleech forged that paper -which he wished it to be supposed Harry had forged, while it's very -possible that he may also have forged Harry's signature to some of the -bills which he showed us when he endeavoured to prove Harry's guilt." - -"I indeed think your account very likely to be true," said Mr. -Coppinger. "I am ashamed at having allowed such a scoundrel as Mr. -Sleech undoubtedly is, to have remained so long in my office undetected; -yet so plausible are his manners, that had this evidence against him not -been discovered, I should have been unwilling to believe him guilty." - -"You will not let him escape, surely, sir," said Mr. Kyffin; "justice -demands that he should be brought to trial, so that the character of -your nephew may be vindicated." - -The two gentlemen examined all the papers thoroughly, making notes of -their contents, and then locked them carefully up in the safe in Mr. -Coppinger's room. Mr. Kyffin having accompanied Mr. Coppinger to Broad -Street, and supped with him, returned at night to the office, where he -occasionally occupied a bedroom. He had been in bed for some time, -though not asleep, thinking over Harry's affairs, when he was aroused by -a knocking at the door. He heard the porter go out of his room and -admit some one. It immediately struck him that it was Silas Sleech; for -as the porter knew nothing of his proceedings, he would naturally, -without hesitation, admit him. Rapidly dressing, therefore, he struck a -light, and putting the pistol, which he usually carried to and from -Hampstead, in his pocket, he proceeded down-stairs. The person who had -come in did not go to Mr. Sleech's room; but after a few minutes' -conversation entered the counting-house. Mr. Kyffin heard him wish the -porter good-night, and say that he should not be long. - -"Call me at an early hour, there's a good fellow, for I have to be off -betimes," he added. - -Mr. Kyffin waited a minute, and then proceeded down-stairs into the -office. A light was burning on the desk. By it he saw Mr. Sleech -hunting about in all directions, evidently looking for his keys. The -search was, of course, in vain. He seemed to think so, for producing a -cold iron from his pocket, with as little noise as possible he wrenched -open the desk. He seized the light and looked in. Dismay was depicted -on his countenance. At that instant Mr. Kyffin entered the room. - -"Wretched scoundrel, confess your villainies!" he exclaimed. "Was it to -betray an honest youth, and to blast his character through a miserable -feeling of jealousy and revenge, that you pretended to be his friend? -Confess what you have done, or prepare to be given over into the hands -of justice." - -On hearing Mr. Kyffin's voice Silas dropped the lid of the desk, and -slipping off his stool, went down on his knees, holding up his hands -with a look of the most abject terror. "I did not intend to injure him, -indeed I did not!" he exclaimed, in a whining voice. - -"Oh! Mr. Kyffin, you know how long I have toiled for the house, and how -our employer's interests were as dear to me as my own; then how can you -accuse me of doing such things as you say I have done?" - -"Don't kneel to me," answered Mr. Kyffin, sternly; "don't add additional -falsehood to your other villainies. Expect no leniency from me. Of all -bad characters, I hate a hypocrite the most. I will make no promise, -but if you will confess in a court of justice what you have done, I may -possibly endeavour to have your punishment mitigated, and no other -promise can I make." - -"I will do all you ask, indeed I will," answered Silas, "only don't look -so fierce; don't shoot me," he exclaimed, looking at the pistol which, -unconsciously, Mr. Kyffin had taken from his pocket. - -"I have no intention of shooting you, but again say I will make no -promises. Mr. Coppinger will decide what is to be done with the man who -has robbed him, and so cruelly treated his nephew." - -Saying this, Mr. Kyffin returned the pistol to his pocket. The round -eyes of Silas had been watching him all the time. He now hung down his -head as if ashamed to meet Mr. Kyffin's glance. His eye, however, was -glancing upward all the time. Suddenly he made a spring, and rushed -towards Mr. Kyffin. - - -"I will have my revenge!" he exclaimed, grappling with him. - -Mr. Kyffin, though advanced in life, was as active as ever. His muscles -and nerves had never been unstrung by dissipation, as were those of -Silas, who found that he had met almost his match. The young man, -however, struggled desperately, as a fierce desire seized him to destroy -his opponent. He felt for the pistol in his pocket. With insane -satisfaction he grasped it, and was drawing it forth, with a -determination of shooting the owner, when he found his arm seized, and -directly afterwards he lay on the ground with the sturdy porter and Mr. -Kyffin standing over him. - -CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. - -A BALL AT STANMORE, AND WHAT TOOK PLACE AT IT. - -Mr. Sleech and his family were enjoying their possession of Stanmore. -He had begun to cut down the trees which he and his son had marked, and -as many of them were very fine and old, he was delighted to find that -they would fetch the full amount he had anticipated. This encouraged -him to proceed further. - -"I have often heard that trees about houses are not wholesome," he -observed. "The more space we can clear away the better, and really a -five-pound note to my mind is better than an old tree, with its boughs -spreading far and wide over the ground, and shutting out the sunlight. -Nothing will grow under old trees except fungi, and the ground may be -much better occupied." - -A sufficient time had now elapsed, in the opinion of Mr. Sleech, since -the death of Colonel Everard, his predecessor, to allow him to give a -party at Stanmore without impropriety. The Misses Sleech were busily -employed in sending out invitations. They asked everybody, whether they -had called or not. "The chances are they will come," they observed, -"and it will not do to be too particular." They were rather surprised -to find that several of the principal families in the neighbourhood -declined. However, their rooms were sure to be filled, there was no -doubt of that. The foreign officers had no scruple about coming, and at -a distance there were several families with whom Mr. Sleech was more or -less acquainted, who would be glad to accept the invitation. Miss -Sleech, Miss Anna Maria Sleech, and Miss Martha, who were out, were very -anxious to have their brother Silas. They agreed to write to get him -down. They could not ask Mr. Coppinger to allow him to come merely for -the sake of a ball; they therefore begged their father from his fertile -brain to invent an excuse, which that gentleman had no scruple whatever -in doing. The result of that letter has been seen. At the hour he was -expected to arrive, the carriage was sent over to meet the coach, but -neither in the inside nor on the out was Silas Sleech to be seen. - -"Of course he will come to-morrow in plenty of time for the ball," -observed his sisters, consoling themselves. Old Mr. Sleech, however, -wanted his son's advice and assistance. - -The morning before the intended _fete_, when workmen were busy in -different parts of the house preparing the rooms, placing tents outside -the windows, and arranging flowers and taking up the carpets, a carriage -drove up to the door. A gentleman stepped out of it in a naval undress. -He looked about him with an air of mute astonishment. - -"Who is here? what is taking place?" he asked of the servant who opened -the door. - -"Why, we are going to have a ball to-night," was the answer. "Who do -you want to see?" - -"A ball!" exclaimed the stranger. "My aunt and daughter giving a ball! -Has Colonel Everard so completely recovered?" - -"Why, bless you, Colonel Everard has been dead ever so long, and the -Misses Everard are not in the house. My master is Mr. Sleech, the owner -of Stanmore. If you want to see him I will take in your name." - -"Are you mocking me, man?" exclaimed the stranger. "Where are Madam and -Miss Everard?" - -"Why, I rather fancy they have gone to live in the town since they were -turned out of this," answered the man, with an impudent look. - -"Let me see Mr. Sleech immediately, then," said the stranger, entering -the house. "I must learn clearly what has taken place without delay. -Where is Mr. Sleech?" - -"Who wants me?" asked a voice from the study, the door of which faced -the entrance. The stranger, advancing with rapid step, entered the -room. - -"I am Captain Everard, sir," he said, facing Mr. Sleech, who had risen -from his chair with a newspaper in his hand. "Let me know, I entreat -you, by what means you have come into possession of Stanmore, and tell -me did I hear rightly that my uncle is dead?" - -"Dead as a door-mat," answered Mr. Sleech, "you may depend on that; and -as to how I came into possession of Stanmore, I came in by right of law. -I don't want to hurt your feelings, Captain Everard, but you know that -legitimacy takes precedence over illegitimacy. It is not a man's fault -when his mother has forgotten to get the marriage ceremony performed; -but her children have to take the consequences. You understand me, I -need not be more explicit." - -"What do you mean?" exclaimed Captain Everard, leaning on a chair to -support himself, for though a strong man, late events had shaken him. -He was yet more completely overcome by the news he had just heard. - -"Mean, sir, that your father, Lieutenant Everard, of the Royal Navy, -brother of the late Colonel Everard, and of my beloved and departed -wife, was never married to your French mother; no witnesses are to be -found, and no documents exist to prove that any such marriage ever took -place. By right of law, therefore, when my excellent brother-in-law, -Colonel Everard, departed this life, I, as the representative of his -sister--he having no direct heir--became possessed of this very fine and -beautiful estate. It is not my fault that your father was not married; -it is not your fault; nor could I forego the privileges and advantages -which accrue from possessing this estate." - -"You should know, sir, that my father was married. The colonel always -believed that he was, and treated me as his heir," answered Captain -Everard, with all the calmness he could command. "But, as you say, the -law must decide, and if it decide against me, I must submit. You, by -some means, have got into possession; I cannot, therefore, turn you out. -I can only judge of the way you have treated those dear to me by the -manner in which you have received me." - -The captain drew himself up, and was about to retire from the room. - -"Come, we are relations, though you bear the name of Everard by -courtesy," said Mr. Sleech, putting out his hand; "I don't want to -quarrel about the matter; your ill-luck is my good fortune; that's the -view of the case I take." - -Captain Everard drew back his hand. - -"No, sir, no. I cannot impute wrong motives to you; but, at the same -time, I cannot pretend friendship to a person who, without apology, -casts a stigma on the names of my father and mother." - -"_As_ you please, as you please," said Mr. Sleech, in an apparently -indifferent tone; "I wish to do you good, but I cannot make a silk purse -out of a sow's ear. If you won't receive my kindness, that's your -look-out, and not mine." - -Captain Everard had always felt an especial dislike to his aunt's -husband; it now, very naturally, increased considerably. Still he spoke -calmly. - -"I must bid you good-day, sir," he said. "For my daughter's sake and my -own, you must expect that I will use every means to regain the property -which I believe to be rightfully mine." - -"And I will do my best to keep what I have got, and I rather think I -shall succeed," answered the attorney, as the captain left the room -without deigning to cast another look upon his relative. - -The door had been left open, and the conversation had been heard by -several of the servants and workmen. They were mostly creatures of Mr. -Sleech, for he only patronised those he thought likely to serve him in -any way he might require. They had collected in the hall as the captain -passed through it--some to gaze at him with curiosity, not unmixed -perhaps with pity; others holding their hands to their mouths, as if to -hide their laughter. - -"I told you what was true, captain, although you did not believe me," -said the man who had admitted him. "I hope you won't be for doubting a -gentleman's word again when he speaks the truth." - -The captain made no answer to the fellow's insolence; but, stepping into -the post-chaise, ordered the man to drive instantly to Lynderton. - -Madam Everard received her nephew with an anxious countenance. - -"Where is Mabel?" he exclaimed; "has anything, too, happened to her?" - -"She is alive, and I hope well," answered his aunt. "The poor girl, her -feelings have been sorely tried, first by her anxiety about you, and -then by the fearful position in which Harry Tryon has been placed." - -She then told him of the mutiny, and of the way in which Harry had been -implicated. - -"She knows also that he saved your life, and that of course has not -tended to decrease her love for him." - -"Harry Tryon saved my life!" exclaimed the captain. "I have not seen -him since I met him at Stanmore, that I am aware of." - -"But you knew a young seaman called Andrew Brown; did you not recognise -Harry Tryon in him?" - -"How extraordinary!" exclaimed the captain. "I several times saw the -likeness, but could not believe in the possibility of his having come to -sea with me. Yes, indeed, he did save my life in a gallant way, and I -longed to hear of the lad again, that I might show my gratitude." - -"I fear that if he suffers, Mabel's heart will break," said Madam -Everard. "Executions of the misguided men are taking place every day. -She has, therefore, had no time to lose, for we know not how soon the -unhappy young man may have to share the fate of his companions. My -heart sickens at having to utter such words. A week has passed since -she left me, and I have not since heard of her. I am very anxious as it -is, but I should be still more so were she not under the charge of so -trustworthy an attendant as Paul Gauntlett." - -Captain Everard had been so anxious to hear about his daughter that he -had not hitherto inquired of Madam Everard further particulars regarding -the circumstances which had compelled her and his daughter to leave -Stanmore. They were briefly told. - -"I must see Wallace," he said, "and ascertain whether any certificate of -my father's marriage exists." - -While he was speaking the servant entered, to say that two gentlemen -were at the door, and the Baron de Ruvigny and Captain Rochard were -announced. The latter in his delight, as he entered, seized Captain -Everard in his arms. - -"My dear friend, I am overjoyed to meet you!" he exclaimed. "What have -I heard? Ah! it is too true that you have been deprived of your estate; -but though the sun be hidden by a thick cloud, it is sure to burst forth -again. Be not troubled about it; I have longed to show how deeply -grateful I feel to you for saving my life. Your daughter has told me -that you require evidence of your father's marriage to my relative, and -I trust that, even now, though so many years have passed, it may be -obtained. It shall be my care, at every risk, to search for it. You -could not possibly travel in my distracted country. There may be danger -for me, but less danger than there would be for you. If I do not return -you will know that I have fallen, and you must then get some one to -supply my place. Believe me, though, that it will be my joy and -satisfaction to serve you." - -"I trust you, count; I feel sure that you will not fail to do your -utmost for me." - -It was with somewhat painful feelings, not unmixed with contempt, that -Madam Everard watched the carriages proceeding down the street towards -Stanmore, on the evening of the ball. The spinster ladies had either to -walk or to club together to hire the only public vehicle in the place, -which was constantly kept moving backwards and forwards, from the first -moment at which they could with decency appear at the hall, till a late -hour in the evening. Miss Sleech, and Miss Anna Maria Sleech and her -sisters, of all ages, were dressed out in what they conceived the height -of fashion to receive their guests. A few ladies in pattens and high -hoods, attended by their maid-servants with umbrellas and lanterns, -arrived at an early hour. The Misses Sleech were not afraid of them, as -they were their old acquaintances, and they now treated them with that -condescending kindness which they felt was due from themselves in their -position. Their dresses were admired; the roses on their cheeks and the -patches which they had stuck on their faces. They had time also to -exhibit the decorations, and the alterations which they had made in the -rooms. Mr. Sleech, in small clothes and pumps, his hair freshly -powdered, a huge frill to his shirt, and the neck-cloth of many turns -round his throat, with a coat, put on for the first time, with a high -collar, almost hiding his ears, stood ready to make his bows to those he -considered worthy of receiving them. For a few minutes he stood -practising flourishes with his cocked hat, having received lately a few -private lessons from his daughter's dancing-master, to fit him, as he -hoped, for his exalted situation. One thing only was wanting to fill up -his cup of happiness, his satisfaction, and pride. He could not help -wishing that the eldest scion of his house--the heir of Stanmore--had -been present. Even now he thought it possible he might come. At length -some guests of greater distinction began to arrive. The officers of the -foreign legion of course came, although they were perfectly well aware -of the difference between the old and new families; but there was no -reason why they should lose an evening's entertainment. The Misses -Coppinger also came with an aunt, a Mrs. Simmons, who always went out as -their chaperone. They were not aware of the connection between their -host and their father's clerk. It is just possible, had they been so, -they might have declined the invitation, that gentleman not standing in -any way high in their estimation. Before long, Admiral Wallace hobbled -in, his voice sounding loud and cheery through the half-filled rooms, as -Mr. Sleech bowed and salaamed to him with due respect, and the Misses -Sleech performed the courtesies they had learned from Mú Millepied, -their dancing-master. - -"Well, Sleech, you have done the thing well," cried the admiral. "I -little thought to see anybody else than an Everard in this house. -However, the world's turned upside down; rogues get into honest men's -places, and honest men come to the wall--that's the way affairs go at -present." - -"I am obliged to you for the compliment, Sir James," answered Mr. -Sleech, again bowing, and not knowing whether to take offence. - -"I don't mean to call you a rogue, Sleech, of course," answered the -admiral, intending to exculpate himself. "Never think of calling a man -a rogue in his own house, whatever I may think about the matter." - -Happily for both parties, the conversation was cut short by the entrance -of General and Mrs. Perkins, whose tall figures completely overwhelmed -that of the somewhat diminutive lawyer. Again he bowed as before, now -to the lady, now to the gentleman, who returned his salutations in a -somewhat cold manner, and passed on, looking round the rooms with -inquisitive glances, and making remarks as they passed along. The -Misses Sleech curtseyed as before. Mrs. Perkins returned their salutes -with one of her stiffest bows. Now the people came trooping in more -rapidly, and the music at length struck up, to call the dancers into the -ball-room, where Mú Millepied had been engaged as master of the -ceremonies. Bowing to the guests, he assumed his responsible office. -Still Mr. Sleech looked round in vain for those he would most have -delighted to see. There were several whose names he would not have -valued much at the back of a bill, and not a few ladies whose characters -would certainly have ill borne any very minute examination. Still he -hoped that they would not be observed in the crowd, or attempt to make -themselves conspicuous. Vain hope. Their names were quickly buzzed -about, and they took good care to be seen dancing with the most dashing -of the officers, while they paid constant and especial attention to the -Misses Sleech. - -At length a real English countess arrived. - -She had lately come to Lynderton, and knew very little of the politics -of the place, but having received the Misses Sleech's card and an -invitation to Stanmore, which she knew to be the principal house in the -neighbourhood, her ladyship had accepted the invitation. It is possible -that she might have been surprised at the appearance of Mr. Sleech and -his family, but was certainly too well-bred to exhibit her opinion. She -passed on with her daughters, hoping to take up a retired position, -where she could observe what was going on without herself attracting -attention. Mr. Sleech, however, was far too delighted at the honour -done him to allow her to carry out her intention, and every instant he -was coming up and making one of his flourishing bows, either with offers -of refreshment, or with a request of being allowed the honour of -introducing most eligible partners to Lady Mary and Lady Grace. They, -however, from the first, declined dancing, after which, even had they -desired it, they could not, without offending those who had first -offered, have accepted other partners. - -Mr. Sleech was on his way, for about the twentieth time, to the -countess, when his eldest daughter came up to him, and, in a hurried -voice, said that a person wished to see him on important business. - -"Tell him to come in, then; I cannot come out to see him. If he has got -any message to deliver he must deliver it here," answered Mr. Sleech, -scarcely knowing what he was saying. - -His daughter hurried off. Soon afterwards a man was seen in a -horseman's suit passing among the gaily-dressed throng towards the -master of the house. - -"Who do you come from?" asked Mr. Sleech, eyeing him narrowly. - -"From Mr. Coppinger," answered the messenger. "It is about a matter of -importance, and he told me to see you immediately." - -"What is it? Is it about my son?" asked Mr. Sleech, in a nervous voice. - -"I believe so; but that will tell you," said the man, delivering the -letter he held in his hand. Mr. Sleech, in his eagerness, tore it open, -forgetting at the moment by whom he was surrounded. His eyes ran -rapidly over the paper. With unrepressed anger he broke silence, -exclaiming-- - -"My son accused of forgery! It is a lie. Mr. Coppinger is a base liar; -I will bring an action against him for defamation of character." - -The Misses Coppinger, unfortunately, were standing near at the time, and -were very naturally indignant at hearing their father thus spoken of. - -"The letter says true enough, I have no doubt," observed Mr. Gilby, who -had been dancing with one of the young ladies. "If the son he speaks of -is Silas Sleech, a more arrant rogue does not exist. I am very certain -that he led that young Harry Tryon purposely into all sorts of scrapes, -and drove him off at last to sea. Poor fellow! I don't think I told -you what I know about him." - -His remarks were cut short by the confusion which ensued in consequence -of Mr. Sleech's behaviour. The letter he had received, although sent in -kindness, had completely overcome him. Had he been in his usual state -of composure he would probably have put it in his pocket, and kept its -contents secret; but being already excited, having paid constant visits -to the refreshment-room in order to keep up his spirits, it drove him -beside himself. In vain his friends tried to pacify him. He rushed -round the room, exclaiming again, "It is a lie! It is a base lie! My -son a rogue! The heir of Stanmore accused of forgery! It is -impossible; it is impossible! I defy any one to prove it." - -Thus the wretched man went on proclaiming his son's infamy and his own -disgrace. Several of the guests, who had been somewhat unwilling to -come, on this ordered their carriages. Even the most heartless felt -that they could not with propriety remain, and thus the greater part of -the company followed the example of the first. - -The Misses Coppinger and their aunt got away immediately, attended by -Mr. Gilby; and in a short time the gaily-bedecked and highly-lighted -rooms were deserted by all the guests, while his children could with -difficulty get their father to his room, still but little pacified. The -people said, not without reason, that the balls at Stanmore were -destined to have a disastrous termination. - -CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. - -A JOURNEY, AND WHAT BEFELL THE TRAVELLERS.--A VISIT TO WINDSOR, AND ITS -RESULT. - -The days were long, the weather was fine, and Mabel and her companion -hoped by starting at dawn to reach London at an early hour on the third -day of their journey. They were crossing Hounslow Heath, a part of the -country, in those days especially, and even in later years, notorious -for the number of robberies committed on travellers. In the far -distance were seen dangling in the air two objects, the wretched -remnants of humanity, suspended in chains, intended as a warning to -evil-doers, but having about as much effect as scarecrows have generally -on bold birds who have discovered that they can do them no harm. Mabel -turned away her eyes to avoid the hideous spectacle. Paul said nothing, -but pulled out his pistols one by one, carefully surveying their locks. -Then restoring them to their holsters, he continued trotting on at a -rapid pace behind his young mistress. - -"We shall be in town, Miss Mabel, long before your godfather sits down -to his early dinner, I hope," observed Paul. "You might spare Beauty a -little, for we shall have some steep bits of road soon, and a steady -pace will bring us to our journey's end, maybe, as soon as a rapid one." - -As Paul spoke he caught sight of three men crouching down under some -bushes a short distance ahead. Had he been alone, he would have dashed -forward and easily have eluded them, should they prove to be footpads, -as he thought likely. He was afraid, however, should Mabel make the -attempt, that they might succeed in stopping her horse, and then, if -going at full speed, he would be less able to take steady aim, or to -defend her. At the same time, he did not wish to alarm her before it -was necessary. She, however, directly afterwards caught sight of the -same objects. They were not left long in doubt as to the intention of -those they saw, for as they approached, live men sprang up, and rushing -forward seized Mabel's rein. Paul, drawing a pistol, fired. One of his -assailants fell, but this did not deter the others from their purpose. -While one of the ruffians held Mabel's horse, the other three attacked -him, endeavouring to pull him from his saddle. Before they had time to -seize his arm, he drew another pistol. He fired, but it flashed in the -pan. He endeavoured to reprime it, but having no time to do so, he -seized it by the muzzle, and began to lay about him with right good -will, striking one fellow on the head and another on the shoulder, and -compelling them to let go their hold, at the same time shouting at the -top of his voice, "To the rescue! to the rescue! Off with you, -villains!" and similar cries, which were not without the effect of -distracting the attention of his assailants. Still, as they were three -to one, and had also firearms, though they had not hitherto used them, -it was too evident that they must ultimately succeed in their purpose. -Still undaunted, however, the old soldier fought on, continuing to -strike with a rapidity which astonished his assailants. One, however, -more savage than the others, springing back, drew a pistol from his -belt, and was levelling it at Paul, when his eye caught sight of two -men, who, at that instant had jumped out of a gravel-pit a little way -ahead, and were rushing towards them, flourishing thick sticks which -they held in their hands. - -"Don't let the fellows sheer off, Paul, and we will make prizes of the -whole," shouted one of the new comers, springing forward and bringing -his thick stick down on the head of one of Paul's assailants. The -fellow dropped as if shot, when the other three men, seeing that their -opponents were even in number, let go the horses' reins and took to -flight. - -The men who had so opportunely arrived were dressed as sailors. In the -most active of them Paul recognised his old acquaintance, Jacob Tuttle. -The other was a stranger. - -"Well, this is fortunate!" exclaimed Jacob, in astonishment. "Why, Mr. -Gauntlett, I little thought to see you and Miss Mabel out here. Why, -please miss, you are the very lady I was coming all the way to Lynderton -to see. Only yesterday I could get leave from my ship to come ashore, -and started away up to London, where we stopped a few houts, and then -came along south-west, keeping a course for Lynderton." - -Mabel had been so agitated by the attack of the footpads that she had -been unable to speak. She now eagerly asked Jacob why he wished to see -her. - -"It is about a shipmate of mine, please you, miss, as true-hearted a lad -as ever stepped--one Harry Tryon, though in speaking to you, miss, I -ought to call him Master Harry." - -"Go on, I entreat you," said Mabel, eagerly. - -"You have heard talk of the mutiny, miss, and how the seamen thought -they had not got their rights, and how they held out against their -officers? Well, the chief of the mutineers, and I have not much to say -in his favour, was aboard our ship, and because Harry was a gentleman -and could write a good hand, he made him act as his secretary. Now do -you see Harry did not wish to do so, to my certain knowledge, but -somehow or other, after Parker, who was the chief in the business, was -tried and hung, Harry was brought in guilty of helping him. I don't -know how it was I was not called as a witness, or I could have proved -that Parker held a pistol to Harry's head and made him write what he -told him. The long and short, however, of it is that poor Harry has -been condemned to death, and lies on board the prison ship with a number -of other fellows, to be run up one of these days to the yard-arm. Now I -thought to myself, he has got friends down at Lynderton who I know would -help him. As I could not get away from the ship to give the news, I got -a messmate, howsomdever, to write to my Mary, you know her, miss, and -tell her all about it. At last, however, yesterday morning, Jack Veal -here and I got leave to come ashore and spend a fortnight at home. We -lost no time as soon as we stepped on shore, you may depend on it, miss, -but came along as fast as our two legs would carry us, and a pretty good -job it is we did come, or we should have missed the chance of knocking -those fellows on the head and doing you a service, miss." - -"It is indeed most fortunate, and I have to thank you very heartily," -answered Mabel; "and if, instead of going on to Lynderton you will -accompany us, you may be of still greater service. I am going up to -London, on purpose to see what can be done for Mr. Tryon. If nobody -else can assist me, I will go to our good King, and ask him to grant his -pardon. If you are able to bear evidence that he did not willingly join -the mutineers, I am sure his Majesty will grant our request." - -"With all the pleasure in life, miss," answered Jacob. "I would go a -hundred miles to give a helping hand to any shipmate, much more to so -true-hearted a chap as Harry Tryon, or Andrew Brown, for that's the name -he goes by. I told you when I wrote through him to Mary how he had -saved your honoured father's life, and if he was in England all things -would go right, for he would be able to prove what an obedient -well-behaved seaman Harry always was with him." - -"I am right glad to hear you say that, Jacob," put in Paul. "To my -mind, Miss Mabel, it is fortunate we fell in with these two lads, but -let us lose no further time. They must keep alongside our horses till -we can get a cart or coach of some sort to carry them on. It is very -clear there is no time to be lost, and if we get in early to London -something may be done even to-day." - -"Make sail ahead, then," cried Jacob; "Jack and I will keep up with you, -and if we can we will lay hands on a craft of some sort to carry us on." - -They had not gone far when they saw the footpads return and carry off -their wounded companions. Under other circumstances Paul would have -given notice of what had occurred, but he knew by so doing they might -have to undergo considerable delay, which for Harry's sake it was most -important should be avoided. They therefore pushed on till they arrived -at a small inn on the London side of the heath, where Paul had on -several occasions stopped. The landlord knew him, and he was able, -therefore, without difficulty, to hire a horse on which the two sailors -might proceed. It was the only one in the stable, but as it had an -unusually long back, Jacob and Jack agreed that it would answer their -purpose quite as well as two. - -"Each can take his trick at the helm by turns," observed Jacob, "though -seeing that when a little boy I used often to ride the horses to water, -I may be the better hand of the two." - -The stable boy was about to put on a saddle. - -"No, no, off with that thing," observed Jacob, throwing himself on the -animal's back. "Here, Jack, give us your hand. Now sit yourself -astern. That will do. Good-bye, Master Gibson, we will send the horse -back to you safe and sound, never fear." - -Saying this, Jack and his companion rode out of the stable-yard, and -followed Mabel and Gauntlett, who had just before left it. - -As Mabel approached London, her eagerness to see her godfather and Mr. -Kyffin increased. She could scarcely refrain from urging on her steed -to its topmost speed, though restrained every now and then by Paul's -voice requesting her to proceed at a more leisurely pace, both for her -own sake and for that of Jacob and his companion, who were following on -their rough-trotting horse. Before noon she drew rein at the door of -Mr. Thornborough's house. She threw herself from her horse, and ran up -the steps. Miss Thornborough stood ready to receive her in her arms. - -"My dear Mabel, we have heard all about it from Mr. Kyffin," she said. -"He is up-stairs with your godfather, and will do all he can; but, my -dear child, what a journey for you to take!" - -Mabel, thanking her kind old friend, explained that she had brought -companions who might be of great service, and begged that they and their -horses might be looked after. - -"That shall be attended to. And now, my dear Mabel, you must come and -rest yourself, and after dinner you shall hear what your friends propose -doing." - -"Oh, let me hear at once," answered Mabel, unconsciously lifting up her -hands to Miss Thornborough; "I cannot endure any longer this suspense. -Do they think that Harry can be saved? I must see my godfather and Mr. -Kyffin, and hear what they propose from their own lips." - -Mistress Barbara accordingly conducted Mabel up-stairs. Mr. Kyffin came -forward in a kind and courteous manner to conduct her to a seat, before -taking which, however, she hurried up to her godfather, who kissed her -affectionately. - -"You must not be cast down, my child," he said; "Harry's guardian and I -will do all that we can for the lad." - -Mabel felt her spirits somewhat raised on hearing this. Still she saw -that Mr. Kyffin's countenance was very grave, as if his hopes of success -were but small. As, however, she described having fallen in with Jacob -Tuttle and another shipmate of Harry's, his looks brightened somewhat. - -"Yes, I see it," he answered; "there is hope if we have them as -witnesses, but we must be quick in our movements." - -"Oh! yes, yes," exclaimed Mabel. "I am ready to go down to Windsor at -once, where I hear the King is. He may remember me. I little thought -that his visit to Stanmore would have been of so much consequence." - -"You will be over-fatiguing yourself, young lady," said Mr. Kyffin, -looking compassionately at Mabel. "After a ride of nearly one hundred -miles, you are scarcely fit to undertake another journey." - -"Oh, yes, I would mount my horse this instant," answered Mabel. "I care -not for food or rest, when Harry's life hangs in the balance." - -"To relieve your mind we will go at once, then, I promise you," answered -Mr. Kyffin. "A coach and four will be in readiness within an hour. In -the meantime you must take some refreshment and rest, and we shall be in -time to see the King this very afternoon. After that we must be guided -by his Majesty's reply." - -The road from London to Windsor, as it was traversed frequently by -royalty, was in those days one of the best in the country. - -A carriage was proceeding along it in the early part of the afternoon, -drawn by four horses galloping at a furious rate. Its passengers were -Mabel, Mistress Barbara, who had come to take care of her, and Mr. -Kyffin, while outside was Paul Gauntlett, who would not lose sight of -his young mistress, and Jacob Tuttle with his companion, who sat on the -box and frequently leant forward urging the postillions to drive faster -and faster. - -The more Jacob thought of the peril in which Harry was placed, the more -anxious he became about him. He had already seen many unhappy men run -up at the yard-arms of their respective ships in consequence of their -active participation in the dangerous mutiny lately quelled, and he -could not help feeling that Harry Tryon might be among the next victims. -Many of them were young men, strong, active, intelligent fellows, -misled by designing knaves. It is especially painful to see such men, -who, though criminal, differ greatly from ordinary culprits, suddenly -launched into eternity. Such has been the fate demanded by stern -justice of many fine seamen, and undoubtedly those executions had struck -a wholesome terror into the minds of British seamen generally. From -that day forward no mutiny of any consequence has ever occurred in the -British fleet. - -At length the numerous towers of Windsor's proud castle were seen by the -travellers. Mabel's heart beat even quicker than before as the carriage -dashed on. At length they reached the foot of the ascent which leads to -the terrace. On one side were the walls of the castle, on the other -stretched away the greensward, the wide-spreading trees, and the long -glades of Windsor forest. Along the terrace were scattered numerous -groups of persons, some standing on either side, others walking slowly -up and down in conversation, now bowing to those they passed, now -stopping to speak a few words to acquaintances. Below, the park was -crowded with persons of every degree, all of them in gala costume. The -eyes of the greater number turned frequently up towards the terrace, -where some object especially attracted their attention. Mistress -Barbara and Mabel, with Mr. Kyffin, had no difficulty in passing the -guards, but their attendants were stopped and told that they could not -be admitted on the terrace. - -"Oh, but we want them especially to come; it is a matter of greatest -importance," exclaimed Mabel. "We want them to see the King." - -"What is it? who do you want to see?" said a middle-aged gentleman, -stepping forward from among several younger people by whom he was -surrounded. - -"The King," answered Mabel, advancing. "Your Majesty--it is yourself!" -she added, looking up and discovering that she was in the presence of -George the Third, who, with several of his own family and three or four -of his favourite courtiers and visitors, had just reached the end of the -terrace. - -"Ah! surely I have seen your face, young lady," said the King, in his -kind, gentle way. "Tell me all about it." - -"I had the honour of seeing your Majesty at Stanmore, the house of my -uncle, Colonel Everard," answered Mabel, "when your Majesty was last -there." - -"Ah, yes, and I never forget a face," said the King; "and how is your -uncle?--he is an old friend of mine." - -"He has been called hence, your Majesty," answered Mabel; "he is dead." - -"Ah! dear, dear," said the King; "I had heard of it; my friends die -quickly, and there are few to replace them; I ought to have remembered. -But tell me what you require of me--what can I do for you?" - -Mabel endeavoured to explain in a few words, and as clearly as possible, -the object of her visit to the King. He listened attentively. - -"A sad thing that mutiny, though; but are you certain that young man is -not guilty? Can you prove it? There's the question," said the King. -"People want proofs in these matters. We must not be governed by our -feelings." - -"Oh, yes, your Majesty, I know, I am sure he is not guilty!" exclaimed -Mabel, clasping her hands, and looking up imploringly at the King. "My -liege, you have the power of saving him; oh! let me entreat you to do -so. Exert your royal prerogative, and save the life of one who is -innocent of the fearful charges brought against him." - -"I should like to do so, young lady, indeed I should," said the King, -kindly, "but I want proofs. Those are what the lawyers require. What -proofs can you bring forward?" - -"Here, your Majesty, are two men who were on board the ship in which Mr. -Tryon served, and they are able to bear evidence that he was compelled -by the ringleader to perform the acts for which he has been condemned." - -"Ah! let them come forward, and I will hear what they have to say," said -the King. "Are those the men outside who came with you? Let them be -admitted immediately!" - -On this Jacob and Jack Veal were allowed instantly to go on the terrace, -Paul Gauntlett slipping in with them. The King beckoned them forward. -Doffing their hats, they stood in a row before his Majesty, Paul a -little behind the others ready to make a military salute, while Jacob -and Jack kept hauling away at one of the love-locks with which their -foreheads were bedecked. - -"Let me hear all about it. What have you got to say, my man?" asked the -King, looking at Jacob. - -"Please your Majesty, he no more wanted to mutiny against your Majesty -than the babe unborn," began Jacob. "Please your Majesty, there's not a -more loyal subject of your Majesty's in England, not except old Pike, -whom your Majesty recollects at Lynderton, and who used to get drunk -regularly on your Majesty's birthday drinking your Majesty's health." - -"What, do you know old Pike?" exclaimed the King, laughing; "I hope he -is well." - -"Oh! bless you, your Majesty, he was well and as merry as a cricket when -I was last at home. I have been foreign since then, and have not seen -him or my old mother for many a day." - -"Ah, well, I wish all my subjects were as loyal as old Pike," observed -the King, turning round and narrating the anecdote of the prostration -performed by the old mace-bearer before him. "And now about this young -man, you say he is innocent, but how can you prove it?" - -"Why, your Majesty, I can swear my Bible oath that I saw Richard Parker -clap a pistol to his head and tell him if he did not obey orders he -would blow his brains out. Now, your Majesty, do you see, he thought to -himself, `If my brains are blown out I can never serve the King again, -and if I merely write as I am made to do there can be no great harm in -that, and the time will come when I may be able to serve my good King as -before.' Now, your Majesty, I ask if a man was to treat you like that, -whether you would not think it was wiser to obey him than to kick up a -row about it?" - -"As to that, it would depend very much upon what the man wanted me to -do," answered the King. "However, it is clear your young friend acted -on compulsion, if your oath is of any value; and what does your shipmate -there say?" - -"Please your Majesty, I can swear the same thing," answered Jack Veal, -"and what is more, we can bring several other men to prove that what we -say is the truth." - -"And what do you say, my tall friend?" said the King, looking up at -Paul. - -"Please your Majesty, I have known the lad from his boyhood. He is true -and loyal to the backbone," answered Paul, making a salute. "His -grandfather, General Tryon, served your Majesty, and perhaps your -Majesty remembers the ride he took with you through the forest after -your Majesty's visit to Stanmore." - -"Ah! yes, yes, let me see. I remember the youth well," said the King. -"A well-mannered, intelligent lad. It would be a great pity to have him -hung, of course it would," he remarked, turning round, to the Queen and -princesses who were standing with him. "But, my dear young lady, I -cannot act in this matter without the advice of my ministers. You must -go and see Mr. Pitt, and learn what he has to say. If he consents, I -will pardon the lad with all my heart." - -"Most deeply do I thank your Majesty for those kind words," answered -Mabel; "but time is precious. Any instant he may be led out to -execution, and some time would pass before we could apply to the -minister." - -"Oh, that gentleman will help you," answered the King, turning to Mr. -Kyffin, "he looks like a lawyer, a clever man, I am sure. You will help -the young lady, will you not?" said the King. - -"Armed with a line signed by your Majesty I certainly could do so," -answered Mr. Kyffin, bowing. "We will hasten back to town and see Mr. -Pitt, and in the meantime, provided with the order to stay the -execution, we will proceed to the ship where the prisoner is confined." - -"Come along, then," said the King, with a kind encouraging glance at -Mabel. "You shall have the paper; I hope it is not unconstitutional. -What is the lad's name?" - -"Harry Tryon," answered Mabel. - -"Please your Majesty, that is his real name," put in Jacob Tuttle, -hearing the answer; "but the name he is to be hung by is Andrew Brown; -and please your Majesty, if you only give the order to stop Harry Tryon -being hung, poor Andrew Brown may be hung up notwithstanding." - -"I see, I see," said the King. "Well, then, as you are in a hurry, my -dear young lady, we will draw out the paper." - -On this the King, with several members of the royal family, attended by -Mabel and Mr. Kyffin, entered the castle by the side door. The King -walked rapidly on through several passages till he entered his private -room. Sitting down at a desk he began to write, the rest of the party -standing at a respectful distance round him. - -"There, my dear young lady, this, I believe, will have its effect," he -observed, as he finished the papers and handed them to Mabel. "You will -not lose them, eh? The one you can send on board the ship and the other -to the minister. He will attend to my request, I hope. Now speed ye -well, and God bless you." - -CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. - -THE PRISON SHIP.--THE GREAT MINISTER.--A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE. - - -Some way up the Thames lay a large hulk. Her decks were housed in, her -hulk was black; she bore but little resemblance to the stout ship she -had once been, except from the ports which were to be seen on either -side. They were very thickly grated. It was the prison ship. Low down -in one of the dark cells below the water-line, with manacles on his -ankles, lay Harry Tryon. His cheeks had become pale, his eye had lost -much of its brightness, but hope had not altogether died within him. -Still he was fully sensible of the dangerous position in which he was -placed. He had become of late a wiser and a sadder man than he had ever -been before. Still as day after day passed by and no friends came near -him, his spirits sank lower and lower. - -"Have they all deserted me?" he said to himself, clasping his hands. -"Mr. Kyffin would not, I am sure, and Mabel--she knows nothing of my -desperate state. Would that I had written to her. Some effort might -have been made to save me; but I could not bear the thought of writing -to her as a felon, to let her hand touch the paper smelling of this foul -prison. Better far that I should die unknown. When the wretched Andrew -Brown is run up to the yard-arm there will be no one to mourn him, and -Harry Tryon may disappear without a stain of disgrace upon the name." - -He attempted to rise--he could do so with difficulty--to take a few -turns up and down the narrow cell. Scarcely ever was he left in -silence. There was the ripple of the water against the ship's side; -above him the steps of other prisoners as they, like him, paced to and -fro. Now and then there were shouts and cries of men driven to despair -by their approaching fate, others singing and shouting with careless -indifference. It was weary work, that prison walk, for the chains were -heavy. The gyves hurt his legs. Again he sat himself down, and clasped -his hands upon his knees. - -"Death! death will be welcome!" he exclaimed, "the only termination to -my misery and shame." - -As he thus sat his ears caught the sound of footsteps moving along the -passage outside. The lock in the heavy door moved, it opened, and a -bright light which dazzled his eyes burst in. - -"They are come," he thought, "to carry me off." - -"I am ready," he said, starting up, expecting to see the gaoler and the -guard of soldiers. Instead, as his eyes recovered their vision, he saw -standing before him his ever faithful guardian Roger Kyffin. He sprang -forward, then stopped for a moment and hung down his head. - -"You cannot come to own a wretched convict like me," he exclaimed, in a -tone of sadness. - -"Do not say that, Harry," answered Mr. Kyffin, stepping forward and -taking his hands. "Not a moment's rest or happiness have I enjoyed -since I learned the dangerous position in which you were placed. Do not -doubt the regard I must ever have for you. I have discovered how you -have been deceived, and how you were induced to desert your truest -friend; I have therefore every excuse for you. I have learned that even -in this instance you are guiltless of disloyalty, and, believe me, -Harry, however guilty you have been, I should still have looked upon you -as a son." - -"You make me desire once more to live," exclaimed Harry, for the first -time perhaps in his life bursting into tears. "I thought no one cared -for me. I was prepared to die unknown and unlamented; and oh! tell me, -Mr. Kyffin, does Mabel know of my condition?--has she discarded me?" - -His voice trembled. He looked eagerly in his guardian's face for a -reply. - -"No, Harry, indeed she has not discarded you. She is true-hearted." - -"Is there any hope for me--must I suffer as so many unhappy men have -done?" gasped out Harry. - -"There is hope, my boy. I cannot say for a certainty that you will be -saved. Mabel herself obtained from the King a request to his ministers -that your life should be spared, and I have seen the governor of the -prison, and he believes it confers sufficient authority on him not to -deliver you up till his Majesty's pleasure shall be further known." - -Mr. Kyffin then explained to Harry more clearly the particulars of which -the reader is already aware. Harry Tryon sank down on his knees, and -thanked Heaven from the depth of his heart for the prospect of a release -from the ignominious death for which he had been prepared. Alas! he had -not often truly prayed. His grandmother had not attempted to teach him -even a form of prayer, and seldom, during the life he spent in London -had he ever dared to kneel to ask a blessing of his Heavenly Father. He -had now, however, learned an important lesson. He had felt his utter -helplessness and weakness, and had discovered that when lifting up his -heart to God he received a strength and courage which he could by no -other means have obtained. - -"And Mabel! bless her for what she has done for me! But oh! Mr. -Kyffin, tell me where is she, how is she?" - -"She bears up wonderfully," answered Mr. Kyffin, "and even now she and -her kind friend Mrs. Barbara Thornborough have gone to Mr. Pitt to -endeavour, if possible, to see him, and obtain his warrant for your -liberation." - -"Then I am sure she will succeed," exclaimed Harry, joyfully. - -"Do not raise your hopes too high, my boy, and yet I would wish to -support and encourage you," remarked Mr. Kyffin. "My stay with you now -must be short, as I promised to meet Miss Everard after she had had an -interview with the minister. Even should he refuse, we must not lose -heart. We must bring other influence to bear on him. However, Harry, I -know you too well to think that there is any necessity to urge you not -to despair. And now farewell. I purpose to return before long. I hope -to bring good news, but you must not be disappointed if it is not as -good as we wish. This mutiny, so happily quelled has been very serious, -and might have proved most disastrous to the country. The nation -therefore is naturally little inclined to look with leniency on those -who took a part in it, especially on the leaders; and from your having -been associated with Parker, you, in the ordinary course, could scarcely -expect a pardon." - -Mr. Kyffin was gone, and Harry was once more left to his own thoughts. -The hours passed wearily by, they seemed longer than any during his -imprisonment. Sleep would not visit his eyelids. Anxiously he listened -for every sound, hoping for the speedy return of his friend. - -Meantime Mabel, who had parted from Mr. Kyffin at Mr. Thornborough's -house after their return from Windsor, prepared to set out with Mrs. -Barbara, attended by the two seamen and Paul,--to Mr. Pitt's house at -Putney. She waited but a short time to obtain a little refreshment -which Mistress Barbara urged on her, and together they drove towards the -residence of the minister, while Mr. Kyffin proceeded down the river to -pay the visit to Harry which has been described. - -It was late in the evening when they arrived at the villa. The two -ladies, sending up their names, earnestly requested that they might be -admitted. Mr. Pitt was very much engaged, and could receive no -visitors. - -"Is Lady Hester at home?" asked Mrs. Barbara. "Her Ladyship may -remember me," she observed, turning to Mabel; "if she does, she will, I -think, see us, and through her we may press our suit on her uncle." - -The two ladies waited anxiously for the return of the servant. - -"Lady Hester will see you, ladies," was the reply, and Mabel and her -friend descended from the carriage. - -They were ushered into a handsome drawing-room, where Lady Hester was -seated alone at a writing-table. - -"I remember you, Mistress Thornborough," she said, rising and coming -forward in a gracious manner. "Tell me, to what cause am I indebted for -the honour of this visit?" - -"My young friend here will explain it to you," said Mrs. Barbara, now -introducing Mabel. "One in whom she is deeply interested has been -implicated in the late mutiny at the Nore, and in consequence of proper -evidence not having been brought forward which would have proved that he -acted under compulsion, he has been condemned to death. We have seen -his Majesty, who was acquainted with the young gentleman, and have now -come, wishing to see Mr. Pitt, with two seamen of the ship on board -which he served, who can clearly prove that he was an unwilling -participator in what took place. Still time is pressing." - -"I can hold out but slight hopes of Mr. Pitt's interference," answered -Lady Hester. "He sees the importance of preventing the recurrence of -such a mutiny by striking a wholesome terror into the minds of the -seamen." - -"But surely he would not wish an innocent person to suffer!" exclaimed -Mabel. "He can be proved innocent, believe me, your ladyship. The King -himself is convinced that he is so. Let me entreat you to beg Mr. Pitt -to grant a pardon to this young man." - -"You take a warm interest in him," said Lady Hester, looking at Mabel -somewhat harshly. - -"Yes, indeed I do, I have known him from his youth," answered Mabel. -"He is true and loyal, and would never have aided so dangerous a -conspiracy as this appears to have been, to destroy the naval power of -England." - -Lady Hester seemed to relent as she gazed at the young girl. "I am -ready to believe you," she answered, "that this young man is innocent. -Tell me, how came he to be on board ship in the capacity of an ordinary -seaman?" - -Mabel blushed and hesitated. - -"Oh, I see how it was," said Lady Hester; "and now you repent. I will -see Mr. Pitt, and give him your statement of the case." - -"Then may I beg you to deliver this letter from his Majesty at the same -time?" said Mabel, presenting the King's note. - -Lady Hester took the paper, and remarked, as she rose to leave the room, -"It may have weight with my uncle, but, at the same time, even the King -himself cannot turn him from his will when he has once made up his -mind." - -Once more the ladies were left in doubt and anxiety. Mabel could not -hope much from Lady Hester's manner. Mrs. Barbara, who had seen her -before, argued favourably. Lady Hester was some time absent. - -At length the door opened, and she returned, followed by a -slightly-built gentleman, scarcely yet of middle age, whose bright eye -and broad forehead betokened intellect of no ordinary kind. His manner -was somewhat stiff and formal as, bowing to the ladies, who had risen at -the entrance of Lady Hester, he took his seat near them. - -"You come with a request from his Majesty, I understand, to beg me to -interfere in the case of one of the mutineers of the Nore. His -Majesty's commands have always great influence with me; at the same -time, you must understand that the matter is one of a most serious -character. A great many men have been pardoned who really took a part -in the mutiny by supporting their leaders. If the leaders themselves -are pardoned, the men will think that, after all, the crime they -committed was a slight one," he observed, in a tone of voice which made -Mabel's heart sink within her. - -"But, oh! sir," she exclaimed, pressing her hands before her in a -pleading attitude, "but this young man, Andrew Brown, for by that name -he is known, was not guilty of any evil intentions." - -Mabel repeated the statement she had already made to the King. - -"You plead his cause earnestly young lady," said the minister, "and -right well, too. Let me see these witnesses, and if they give a -satisfactory statement, I will recommend the young man as a fit subject -for his Majesty's clemency. I cannot reverse the judgment of the court, -you must remember. If that condemned him, condemned he must be, but his -Majesty can exert his prerogative of mercy, and both save his life and -obtain his release." - -"Oh! thank you, sir, thank you," exclaimed Mabel, expressing by her -looks more than by her words what she felt. - -The minister rang the bell, and ordered the two seamen to be admitted. -In a short time there was a scuffling outside. The door opened, and -Jacob Tuttle and Jack Veal appeared, one urging on the other, as if -neither liked to be the first to enter. They held their hats in their -hands, pulling away at their locks as they would have done addressing an -officer on the quarter-deck. Lady Hester looked on with an amused -countenance as the minister cross-questioned them as to the part their -shipmate had taken in the mutiny. - -"He took no part at all, please you, sir, for I don't call writing -letters with a pistol held at a man's head taking part in the mutiny, -and I know for certain that he hated it as much as any one. Besides, -sir, when we proposed striking the red flag, and carrying the ship up -the river, he heartily joined the loyal part of the crew, and a pretty -severe tussle we had, too, before we got possession of the ship and -handed it over to the officers." - -Jack Veal corroborated what Jacob had said, and Mr. Pitt drew forth a -considerable amount of further evidence which satisfied him that if -these witnesses spoke the truth, Andrew Brown's guilt was not of a -nature to merit death. At last he turned to Mabel. - -"I have no hesitation in recommending his Majesty to pardon the young -man in whom you are interested. His story is, I have no doubt, a -romantic one, and I do not wish to add to the romance by allowing him to -finish his career at the yard-arm. You need have no fear, therefore, -young lady, on that score. I will send down a reprieve, and will also -give you a paper, which will secure a full pardon for your friend on -being signed by his Majesty. I must wish you good evening, and I am -glad that my niece, Lady Hester, who is staying with me for a few days, -has brought the matter before my notice." - -Without waiting to hear the expressions of gratitude which Mabel and -Mrs. Barbara felt disposed to pour forth, the great minister left the -room. Lady Hester warmly congratulated them on the success of their -mission, and assured them that she cordially sympathised with them. -Jacob, forgetting where he was, on hearing that Harry was to be -pardoned, threw up his hat, and in his delight uttered a loud shout -exclaiming-- - -"Bless you, my lady! Bless Mr. Pitt, and the King, and all the Royal -Family! If I had as many lives as a cat, I would gladly spend them all -in the service of so good a King and so noble a minister." - -On entering the carriage, Mabel sank back into the arms of Mrs. Barbara, -and gave way to her feelings in a flood of tears. - -"Oh, he will be saved!" she exclaimed; "I scarcely dared hope it till -now." - -At length Mabel appeared somewhat to recover her composure, and worn out -by anxiety of mind and the fatigue she had gone through, at length sank -to sleep in the arms of her friend. They did not reach home till a late -hour. Scarcely conscious, Mabel was carried to bed. Her dreams were -far more happy than they had been for many a day. She and her kind -friend looked forward with anxiety to the return of Mr. Kyffin on the -following day. He arrived before noon with the intelligence that the -governor of the prison had received the minister's reprieve for Harry. -That afternoon had been fixed for the review of the volunteers in Hyde -Park. Mabel felt sure that his Majesty would, if he had an opportunity, -immediately sign the pardon which the minister had given her. - -It was a lovely day. The sun shone brightly forth from an unclouded -sky, and from the various avenues of approach troops marched up to the -ground preceded by their bands of music and colours flying--infantry, -cavalry, and artillery. The most numerous corps was that of the City -Light Horse. Some of the companies, however, were dismounted and -marched on foot. Others came in long cars, with their rifles between -their knees, while a band of well-equipped horsemen rode up at the head -of the regiment, their glittering arms and handsome dresses -distinguishing them from the men of other corps. The privates, as well -as the officers, were all gentlemen, a considerable number of them men -of fortune and independence. One spirit animated every regiment alike-- -ardent love of their country, and a determination, if called upon, to -fight bravely and to die in her defence. - -Mr. Kyffin and Mabel waited for a favourable opportunity of approaching -the King, for Mabel's anxiety would brook no delay, and she was afraid -that he might return to Windsor without signing the paper. - -At length the King drew up, preparatory to the troops marching past. -The time seemed favourable, as there was an open space near his Majesty -by which she could approach. Dressed in deep mourning, and leaning on -Mr. Kyffin's arm, her countenance radiant with beauty, her colour -heightened by excitement, she drew near to the King. One of the -equerries observing her, inquired what she wanted. - -"It is not the right moment to approach his Majesty," he answered. - -The King, hearing what was said, turned his head, and seeing her, -exclaimed-- - -"Ah! my dear young lady, how can I help you? What is it? Will not Mr. -Pitt advise me to pardon the young mutineer?" - -"Oh! yes, your Majesty. He has given me a proper document which only -requires your Majesty's signature, but every moment is of consequence. -It is cruel to have him kept in that dreadful prison, and I dread lest -by any mistake he may be carried off and executed." - -Mabel could scarcely bring herself to utter these words. The King -smiled. - -"No fear of that, I trust, my sweet young lady, but I will sign the -paper. Go and wait for me at Saint James's; as soon as this affair is -over I will come there. Lord So-and-so," he said, turning to one of his -equerries, "remind me that I have a paper to sign; it is for that young -lady; you will not forget it now." - -The equerry turned to Mabel and bowed low. - -The colour which had left her cheeks rose again in them, for the look -cast on her was full of intense admiration. Mr. Kyffin whispered to -Mabel that she must not press the matter further, and bowing to the -King, who gave a kind parting word to Mabel, they retired from among the -glittering throng of military officers. - -CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. - -SILAS SLEECH DEPARTS FROM THE SCENE.--HOW MR. SLEECH ENJOYED HIS -POSSESSION OF STANMORE. - -Prisons even in those days were fearful dens, although considerably -improved by the exertions of the noble Howard. In an ill-ventilated -room with grated windows, on a straw pallet, sat a young man. His -cheeks had gained the prison paleness. A frown was on his brow, and an -expression on his countenance, which betokened numerous bad passions. -Several other persons were in the room, which was closed by a strong -door, barred and locked. Five or six other pallets, a rickety table, -and several three-legged stools completed the furniture of the -apartment. The young man's companions had apparently been amusing -themselves at his expense. The more angry he became, the more they -laughed and jeered. - -"Laugh while you may," he growled out. "You will laugh on the wrong -side of your mouth when dragged out to Tyburn. I can, even now, fancy I -see you dangling on the gibbet, and more thorough jailbirds have never -been taken out to be hung!" - -These remarks, of course, produced retorts of equal bitterness. - -"As to me, I have no fear of the sort," at length exclaimed the young -man. "To be accused of a crime and to be proved guilty are two -different things. No evidence can be brought against me--of that I am -certain." - -While he was speaking, the door opened, and the jailer appeared, a -couple of armed guards standing behind him. The prisoners gazed at him -anxiously; although none of them were convicted, yet all of them in that -chamber were accused of capital offences, and each supposed that it -might be his turn to be led forth for trial. Most of them knew pretty -well that it would be the last scene but one of their existence. The -last would be on the scaffold at Tyburn. - -"It is an old gentleman wants to see you," said the jailer, looking at -the young man on the pallet bed. "Now you others, behave civilly to -him, or I will be down upon you," he added, turning to the other -prisoners. - -As he spoke, Mr. Sleech, the owner of Stanmore, entered the prison room. - -"Oh! is it you?" said the young man, looking at Mr. Sleech. "Well, I am -glad you have come at last. Here, there's room for two of us; sit down. -It is not a handsome reception-room, and my attendants are somewhat -noisy. We must take things as they are. Well, what news?" - -Old Mr. Sleech was no stranger to similar scenes. He had often visited -jails professionally to consult with his clients, but the case in this -instance was somewhat altered. The prisoner he now came to see was his -own son Silas. It might have occurred to him that he had not brought -him up in the way that an honest man should go. The other prisoners, -hardened villains most of them, were gathering round with the intention -of mocking at the old man. - -"He is my father!" said Silas, rising with a greater approach to dignity -than he had yet exhibited. "Some of you have fathers. If one of them -was to come and see you, you would not like the others to stand round -and see him insulted." - -The address had its effect, and the ruffians, in spite of the -inclination exhibited by one or two to continue their sport, retired to -the farther end of the room, where they sat down at the rickety table. -One of them pulling out a greasy pack of cards, they commenced playing. - -"How did you manage to get yourself into this trouble?" asked old -Sleech; "I thought you were too wise for that." - -"My wisdom will be shown in getting out of it," answered Silas. "I -played a somewhat bold game, and might have made a false move or two, -but it cannot be helped now. There will be no evidence brought against -me, I am very sure of that Young Harry Tryon went aboard ship, you know -that. Well, besides, he was on board the `Sandwich,' and Parker mixed -him well up in the mutiny. He was seen with him at the dockyard at -Sheerness. I learned all that from an acquaintance of mine--young -Gilby. He saw him with his own eyes, so there's no doubt about it." - -"He may have been mistaken," observed old Sleech. - -"Not a bit of it," said his son, "he knows Harry almost as well as I do. -He has met him scores of times, both at Mr. Coppinger's house and at -some of the places which Harry used to frequent. Never fear, it is all -right; I shall soon be out of this, and down at Stanmore to enjoy -myself. I say, father, we shall want a little ready money to keep up -the game. We must make the old trees fall right and left, and you know, -at a pinch, you and I can sell a few dirty acres. In my opinion there -is nothing like enjoying a thing when we have got it." - -The further conversation between the father and his estimable son need -not be repeated. Silas had fallen considerably in his parent's -estimation since he had so committed himself as to get into prison. He -was, also, not quite so sanguine as his son was as to the result of the -trial; but he performed a parent's part in securing the best counsel to -be obtained. He also made interest with the governor to procure a -better room and superior food for his son. Silas did not, however, -exhibit the gratitude which might have been expected. - -"It would not do to let the heir of Stanmore dangle on a gibbet, eh, -dad, would it?" he observed, when his father told him what he had done. -"No chance of that, or I could not joke on the subject." - -The day of the trial arrived. Silas Sleech stood at the bar. He gazed -round the court with an air of confidence, and nodded familiarly to some -of his acquaintances. His eye fell for a moment as he encountered the -stern glance of Mr. Coppinger, Mr. Kyffin, and other persons who had -been brought in as evidence against him. The case was gone into. He -was ably defended, and his counsel laid great stress on the -non-appearance of the person whose signature he was said to have forged, -and whose ruin it appeared he had taken great pains to effect. Silas -smiled as he heard these remarks, and attempted to throw an expression -of injured innocence into his countenance. The counsel for the Crown -replied; but the defence made by the defendant's counsel seemed to have -great weight with the jury, when there was a slight movement in the -court. A slip of paper was put into the hand of the Crown counsel. He -turned round and spoke a few words to a well-dressed young man, who had -at that time entered. - -"The defendant declares," he observed, "that no evidence can be brought -forward to prove that he forged the signature of Mr. Stephen Coppinger, -asserting that it was the act of another person. Here stands that other -person, whose statement you will hear. I produce him as a witness; -should you consider him unworthy of belief, you will acquit the -prisoner; if not, I am ready to prove that no other person than Silas -Sleech, the prisoner at the bar, could have committed the forgery." - -As Silas caught sight of the countenance of the young man, he gazed at -him as at one risen from the dead, and a sudden tremor seized his frame. - -"He knows I did not do it; he knows I did not," he gasped out; but Harry -Tryon took no notice of him. - -Harry briefly and clearly gave an account of the circumstances with -which the reader is already acquainted. - -The jury were perfectly satisfied of the guilt of the prisoner. - -"But he is a convicted felon, he cannot be brought as evidence against -me. He was one of the mutineers of the Nore. He ought to have been -hung with his companion Parker." - -"The prisoner is mistaken, my lord," said Mr. Kyffin; "the young -gentleman is as free as any one in this court. He is my ward, and I am -sure that his name will not be found among the mutineers of the Nore." - -The jury returned a verdict of guilty, but recommended the prisoner to -mercy. In spite of Sleech's criminality, Mr. Coppinger and others -exerted themselves, and the sentence of death was commuted to that of -transportation for life, and Mr. Silas Sleech was among the next batch -of prisoners shipped off on board a convict ship for Botany Bay. Mr. -Tony Sleech did not allow his heart to break at the loss of his son. He -was legally dead, and his next boy must, therefore, be the heir of -Stanmore. He was of a somewhat more hopeful character than Silas, -though not possessing the same amount of talent. He was a dunce, -indeed, in his father's estimation, and had been so in that of his -school companions. He had, however, sense enough to appreciate the -change of position from a younger son to that of the heir of a fine -estate, and very soon gave himself so many airs that his brothers and -sisters could not help having a secret wish that he might be despatched -after Silas. - -The cost of his son's defence had been very considerable, and Mr. Sleech -therefore considered it desirable to repay himself by cutting down more -of the Stanmore trees, although the proceeds were not to be expended in -the way Silas had proposed. - -He was one day, soon after his return to Stanmore, superintending this -proceeding, when Mr. Wallace arrived at the park, and proceeded into the -grounds to look for him. The two lawyers bowed stiffly to each other. - -"I have come, Mr. Sleech," said the other, "on the part of my client, to -_warn_ you of the danger of your proceeding. For every tree that falls -you will be made responsible. I have thorough confidence that Captain -Everard will ere long prove his right to the property." - -"No danger at all about the matter, my good sir," answered Mr. Sleech, -with an air of indifference which he did not altogether feel. "I have a -right over these trees, and have determined to cut them down, and -therefore, I say, let any man interfere with me if he dare." - -"We are not going to proceed by force, Mr. Sleech," answered Mr. -Wallace, "we are not driven to that; but I again repeat that, not only -will you be compelled to pay the value of every tree which you cut down, -but also you will be heavily fined for the damage which you have -committed on the property." - -"I will stand the consequences," repeated Sleech, but his voice somewhat -failed him as he spoke. - -Mr. Wallace marked it. - -"Well," he said, "my good sir, we are fellow-townsmen, and though often -professionally opposed to each other, I speak to you as a friend. Be -warned in time. Your son has been dealt leniently with, and has escaped -death, but depend upon it, if you persist in injuring this estate, you -will be made to pay heavily in purse. No mercy will be shown you, I can -assure you." - -Saying this, Mr. Wallace bowed to his brother lawyer, and without -further ceremony took his way back to the house. Mr. Sleech soon -afterwards proceeded in the same direction, doubtful, apparently, what -course to pursue. - -"I won't be bullied," he said to himself, "and yet they seem pretty -confident. I don't quite like the look of matters." - -Scarcely had Mr. Sleech left the wood when another person appeared on -the scene. Paul Gauntlett was well known to all the labourers around. -He walked up, armed as usual with a stout cudgel. He might have been -seen day after day since his return from London walking round and round -the grounds, just outside, evidently considering that he was acting in -some way as guardian of the place. - -Madam Everard had warned him that he could not legally enter it. As, -however, he saw from a distance the tall boughs of the trees falling -towards the ground, he could resist no longer. - -"You are employed on a fine work, my friends," he said, gazing round -him. "What now would you say if you saw the colonel standing in the -midst of you? He would be wonderfully pleased at seeing these shady -trees which he loved so well cut down one after the other at the beck of -a pettifogging attorney. That is what Mr. Sleech is, even though he has -got into the big house here. That is what he will ever remain. But I -tell you what, lads, he will not hold Stanmore long. Of that I am very -certain. The captain will have his own again before many weeks are -over, mark me. Now I say, I don't want to take the bread out of your -mouths, but if any of you can get better work than this, I say go and -take it. I shall mark every man who stays on here, and he may never -expect another day's work on Stanmore as long as I live, if he lays his -hand against one of these trees after I have warned him. There never -was a better master than the colonel; and the captain, his nephew, is -likely to be every bit as good a one. Now, boys, just take your own -course, you have heard what I have got to say. What will you do? There -is Farmer Giles and Farmer Jobson, and Mr. Timmins, down at the mill, -and twenty others want hands. You will all get as good wages as this -old skinflint can pay you, and be employed in an honest way." - -Paul's address had a great effect among the labourers. They consulted -together for some time, and one after the other agreed that they would -not again lay an axe against the root of one of the trees of Stanmore. -A few held out. They had got work and did not see why some old trees -should not come down at the bidding of one man as well as that of -another. - -"Take your own way," answered Paul. "If the trees fall, some one will -have to pay, and you will not forget my words." - -Several of the men shouldered their axes and prepared to move. - -"I would sooner lose a week's work than offend the captain," exclaimed -one. - -"Well said, John Hobby, you are a true man," exclaimed Paul. "To my -mind none of you will have to lose a day's work. I don't make promises -for other people, but my opinion is that a generous, open-handed man -like the captain would not let a fellow suffer for being true to him." - -"Hurrah! I will not lift an axe against another tree in this place till -the captain orders me," cried Hobby. - -"Nor I, nor I, nor I," answered others. - -The whole party with one accord, headed by Paul Gauntlett, marched off -the ground, leaving four or five trees where they lay, with their -branches still attached to them. There seemed no probability of more of -the timber of Stanmore being felled that day, or perhaps for some days -to come. - -We must now return to Mr. Thornborough's house in London. Mabel was -staying with her godfather and his kind sister. After she had obtained -the King's signature for his pardon, though feeling certain that he -would be released, her nerves at length gave way, and she was utterly -unable to accompany Mr. Kyffin, as she wished to do, to carry the pardon -down to him. She therefore returned to Mr. Thornborough's house, while -Mr. Kyffin again went down the banks of the Thames to the prison ship. -Mr. Kyffin had a double reason for haste. He was less anxious, -possibly, than Mabel, on account of Harry's safety, for he felt sure -that that was secured; but the next day had been fixed for the trial of -Silas Sleech, and he wished to obtain his ward's evidence, without which -he foresaw that the conviction of the culprit was very uncertain. Harry -could scarcely believe that he was at liberty, though he saw the prison -door open, and his guardian, accompanied by the governor of the prison -and other officials who had come to set him at liberty. They were soon -on shore, and at the inn where Mr. Kyffin had left his carriage. He had -thoughtfully brought a suit of clothes for Harry, who, with a -satisfaction which can be best understood by those who have suffered as -he had done, having gone through a thorough ablution, once more dressed -himself as a gentleman. He was pale, but in other respects greatly -improved. His figure was fuller, and his appearance more manly. His -arrival in court, in time to secure Silas Sleech's conviction, has -already been described. Mabel was all day in a state of nervous -agitation. Frequently when Mrs. Barbara addressed her she scarcely -understood what was said. When she took up a book, her eyes ran over -the pages without reading a line. She tried to work, but her fingers -refused to move. Mrs. Barbara observed her state. "Poor girl," she -thought, "how wonderful it is that she should love that young man so -much." A carriage stopped at the door. She endeavoured to rise, but -found it impossible to move. She drew her breath quickly. The door -opened, and a middle-aged gentleman entered. She lifted up her head. -In an instant she was in his arms. - -"Oh! papa, this is almost too much for me," she exclaimed, as Captain -Everard returned her embrace. In a few words he told her what had -occurred. "But the loss of Stanmore is a severe blow," he observed. - -"Oh! for me it is nothing," answered Mabel; "I feel for you, though that -cannot take away your position as a post-captain." - -"No, indeed," answered the captain, "it is a position a man may well be -proud of." - -"And as for the fortune, my little god-daughter must not be without -something," observed Mr. Thornborough. "Here, Barbara, give her that -paper. A present is better than a bequest, and I have had the amount -transferred to her name in the funds." - -Mabel's eyes were too full of tears to distinguish clearly what was -written on the paper, though she could make out the sum of 10,000 -pounds. She was springing forward to thank her godfather, when another -carriage drove up to the door. Again the drawing-room door opened, and -two gentlemen entered. This time Mabel did not spring into the arms of -either of them, but she stood for an instant motionless till the -youngest advanced towards her. Then unconsciously forgetting that any -one else was present, she lifted up her arms and let them fall on the -young man's shoulders. - -"What! Andrew Brown, the brave seaman who saved my life?" exclaimed -Captain Everard. "But can it be? I wonder that all that time I did not -recognise my young friend Harry Tryon." - -CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. - -THE WRECK OF THE LUGGER, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. - -For upwards of a week Roger Kyffin had been absent from Idol Lane, -during which time he had never left his house at Hampstead. The doctor, -however, paid frequent visits, sometimes thrice a day; once he remained -during the greater part of the night. The Misses Coppinger also -frequently drove over, and on one occasion Mr. Coppinger himself rode -all the way to Hampstead to inquire for Mr. Kyffin's sick friend, for -Mr. Kyffin himself was in perfect health; indeed, he had never had an -hour's illness since he was a boy. No mother could have attended a -child with more care and solicitude than did Roger Kyffin his guest. -That guest was Harry Tryon. The day after his release from the prison -ship he was seized with illness--his tongue was parched, his limbs -ached, he was unable to raise his head from his pillow. The doctor -thought that he was suffering, it might be, from the jail fever. -Harry's nerves had also been severely tried. What with the fatigue and -anxiety he had gone through, the feeling of shame and remorse for his -folly had at length completely overcome him. For several days he -appeared to be hovering between life and death. - -"Oh! Mr. Kyffin, I am unworthy of you, I feel that I have disgraced -you, and Mabel, too; when she knows about me, she, too, will see that I -am unworthy of her love. How can she ever have confidence in a man who -has shown himself so weak, who has committed so many follies, and who -has been so easily led astray by designing knaves? How could I for a -moment have trusted such a person as that unhappy man Sleech? Why did I -not at once perceive the aims of Parker, who, however, was a thousand -times superior to the other fellow?" - -"My dear boy," said Mr. Kyffin, "`let bygones be bygones.' You have had -a good deal of experience in life, and have paid dearly for it, and now -I pray God that you may be restored to health and be wiser for the -future." - -"I see no hope for life in me," answered Harry, "Mabel can never be -mine." - -This was said as the fever was coming upon him before he broke down -altogether. Mr. Kyffin saw that reasoning or expostulation under the -circumstances would avail nothing. He did his best therefore merely to -soothe the poor lad. From his heart he pitied him, and loved him more -than ever. Mabel had returned to Lynderton with her father. She was -not told of Harry's desperate illness. Indeed, she could not be -permitted to see him for fear of catching the fever. She had fully -expected that he would write, and perhaps she suffered more from being -left in doubt than if she had been told the truth. At length, a fine -constitution, under the doctor's care, by God's mercy brought him -through. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered to be moved, Mr. -Kyffin was anxious to give him change of air. The cottage where he was -born was vacant, and Mr. Kyffin begged his old friend Doctor Jessop to -fit it up for him. "His native air, and the doctor who knows him so -well, will afford him the best chance of perfect recovery," the kind man -thought to himself, so he and Harry set forth towards Lynderton. Once -more Harry took up his abode at the cottage where he first saw the -light. He sat in the room with his old friend where his mother had -died. A faint recollection of her came across him. He could even fancy -he saw her slight figure as she sat in the porch watching his gambols on -the lawn, or as she stood at the gate while he and the nursemaid set -forth on their daily walk. The fresh autumn air soon restored vigour to -his limbs and sent new life through his veins. Doctor Jessop prescribed -frequent walks on the open downs above the cliffs. - -"All fear of infection will by that time be blown away," he observed. -"For my part, I believe there has been no real danger since you left -London. However, we cannot be too cautious in such matters." - -"And may I then see Mabel--Miss Everard?" he asked. - -The doctor smiled. - -"That may be as her father wishes," he answered. "Certainly you will -run no risk of giving her the fever, if that is what you mean. Perhaps -I may be able to drive you there some day, not just yet though, and you -are certainly not strong enough to walk so far." - -The weather had changed lately, and become very boisterous, but the -stronger it blew the more Harry enjoyed his walks on the cliffs.-- -Generally Mr. Kyffin accompanied him. One evening, however, it having -rained all the afternoon, he went out later than usual. The air was -fresh and pure, and he was tempted to continue his walk much farther -than he generally went. At length, growing somewhat weary, he sat -himself down in a hollow of the downs. The sun had hitherto been -concealed, but at length it shone forth below a mass of clouds which -hung overhead, and appeared floating as it were above the horizon, a -vast ball of liquid fire. Gradually it sank over Portland Head, leaving -the western sky glowing with a ruddy hue. Harry sat on, lost in -thought. Now a fresh bank of clouds rose out of the horizon, and -joining those that hung overhead, completely obscured the sky. Twilight -came on more rapidly than usual, it seemed, as the wind increased, and -the clouds rushed by in thick masses overhead. At last Harry became -conscious that time had sped by, and the waning light warned him of the -rapid approach of night. He knew the way well enough. At the same time -there were several difficult places which he would have preferred -passing in daylight. He hurried homeward along the cliff, but the -darkness increased, and at length, reaching a path which led down to the -beach, and recollecting that the tide was out, he descended by it, -intending to continue his walk that way homeward. It was soon so dark -that he could with difficulty see his way along the shore. Still, he -found it somewhat tedious work walking along the beach, and upwards of -an hour passed away after it became dark before, according to his -calculation, he had reached that part of the beach which lay below the -cottage. Just as he was about to turn away inland the sound of a gun -came in from the sea. Another and another report followed. He stood -for a few minutes wondering from what vessel the guns were fired. -Presently his eye caught sight of the flashes. Several others followed. -The vessel firing was drawing nearer and nearer. He could not bring -himself to leave the shore, hoping that Mr. Kyffin would not be alarmed -by his absence. The wind whistled loudly. The seas came rolling in -heavily on the beach, bursting with loud roars, throwing up the white -spray, which was driven in showers inland. Harry was soon pretty well -drenched, but he had been too much accustomed to a wet jacket to think -of it. Suddenly the clouds parted, and the moon burst forth, shedding a -pale light over the wild, dancing waters. Just on the spot where her -beams fell he distinguished a vessel running in towards the shore. That -short glance showed him that she was a lugger. She seemed to be -carrying a press of sail, considering the heavy gale blowing. Again the -clouds parted, and at some distance astern of her, his keen seaman's eye -caught sight of a larger vessel. It was from her the guns were fired, -for at that instant a flash was soon followed by the dull report of a -gun, sounding even above the roar of the ocean. The position of both -vessels was perilous in the extreme. In a few minutes the lugger must -inevitably run on shore; but being probably a light craft, by being -driven high upon the beach her crew might be saved; but if the larger -vessel struck, it would be at a considerable distance farther out, and -the seas would with terrific force instantly break over her and wash all -the people off her decks. He longed to have the means of making a -signal to the vessels of their danger. That seemed impossible. At no -great distance were several cottages inhabited by fishermen and other -seafaring people. - -"I will go and collect them," Harry said to himself, "and get them to -bring ropes and spars. We may save the lives of some of these poor -fellows. Without help they must nearly all be washed off again, even -should they be thrown on the beach." - -Harry was not mistaken as to his position, and after some time, though -not without difficulty, he found his way up the cliff and saw a light -burning in one of the cottages which he was endeavouring to reach. He -shouted out to the inmates, and at length a door opened and a light -streamed forth. By its means he got to the front of the cottage, and -told the men what was likely to occur. In a short time they were all on -foot and hurrying down with him to the beach, laden with the poles and -ropes he advised them to bring. At that moment a light burst forth from -the top of a neighbouring cliff, and it was repeated by another from a -beacon a little way inland. The guns then had been heard by the -coastguards. By the time Harry had returned to the beach, a number of -persons were collecting from all sides. Numerous other beacons in a -short time blazed forth. The crowd were uttering various cries and -exclamations. - -"It is a French fleet," cried one; "the French are coming." - -"To arms! to arms!" shouted others. - -"What is to be done?" asked some of the more timid. Several hurried -back, declaring it was time to get out of harm's way. Harry was glad at -last to hear Mr. Kyffin's voice. He made his way up to him. "I was -afraid you would be anxious about me," he said; "but I felt that I ought -not to come home to let you know till I had collected the people, in -case there should be a shipwreck, to help the sufferers." - -"She will be lost to a certainty," cried the seamen in the crowd. - -Just then the dark sail of the lugger was seen, now lifted up, as she -rose on the top of the sea, now sinking down into the trough. On she -came. Those on board must have been well aware of the fate awaiting -them. Still they made no attempt to haul off. - -Harry, calling to the people assembled, formed a party of men with ropes -and spars who, secured one to the other, were to rush into the sea, and -endeavour to drag out those who were washed overboard. Others were to -stand by, ready to carry them up the beach out of the reach of the -waves. The arrangements were made not a moment too soon. With a loud -crash the lugger was seen rushing up the beach. In another instant, the -following sea, with a loud roar, washed completely over her, and she was -driven broadside on to the shore. - -CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. - -HAPPY NEWS. - -Several persons were carried off the decks of the wreck, and had it not -been for the hardihood of those who rushed into the water, would -inevitably have been swept away. Some of the crew, as the sea receded, -leaped overboard and endeavoured to gain the shore. They also were -helped in the same manner. Several poor fellows, however, were unable -to reach the friendly hands held out to them, and were carried out by -the waves. One of the number was, in another minute, dimly seen to be -struggling forward on the curling summit of a foaming sea. Harry, who -had ever been a bold swimmer, casting a rope about himself, now dashed -in towards the almost exhausted man. Bravely he swam forward. He -clasped him in his arms, and then shouting to his companions, was hauled -up the beach in safety. A few more seas, came rushing in, and scarce a -plank or timber of the lugger hung together. The greater number of the -persons on board had been saved. They seemed, however, to be no -strangers to most of the people on the beach. For some minutes Harry -had been so busily engaged in rescuing others that he had not had time -to speak to the person he had drawn out of the water. Great was his -surprise, on returning to the drier part of the beach, when the light of -a lantern fell on a man's countenance he recognised--the features of his -old acquaintance, Captain Falwasser. Several other persons were seated -near him: one was a female, and the other an old man. - -"What, my friend Harry Tryon!" exclaimed the captain, grasping him. "My -life, I know, is not the first you have saved. Harry, I have news for -you," he said, as if recollecting himself. "You shall have it -by-and-bye. But these poor people require to be housed. They are -shivering with the cold, and I must confess that I should like to find -myself before a warm fire." - -"Our cottage is at the service of as many as can get into it," said Mr. -Kyffin, coming up to the captain. "Our friends here will, I have no -doubt, take care of the rest." - -The lugger had come across empty, greatly to the disappointment of most -of the bystanders. - -"As fine a craft as ever floated has come to her end this night," -observed one of them. "Well, lads, there is nothing more to be done, so -we will back to our homes and get some of these poor fellows put into -warm beds." - -The captain and two old French people, with two or three more persons, -accompanied Mr. Kyffin and Harry to the cottage. As they reached the -top of the cliffs, they saw, far and near, the beacon fires bursting -forth, and heard the sound of guns firing in the distance. - -"Why the people must suppose that the French are coming," observed Mr. -Kyffin. "Depend upon it that is the idea. We shall have the whole army -of volunteers down upon us before long, and when they find that you, -captain, and your two old friends are the only invaders, they may be apt -to feel rather irate; our safest plan will be to get housed comfortably -before they come. It will do the young soldiers no harm to give them -some useful exercise. I only hope, should the enemy ever come, that the -guardians of our native land may be as wide awake as they appear to be -to-night." - -The cottage was shortly reached. Susan, Harry's old nurse, now grown -into a comely matron, acted as housekeeper; a blazing fire in the -kitchen soon restored warmth to their limbs, while all the garments -which the house could furnish were brought forth to supply them with dry -clothes. A steaming hot supper was after this placed on the table, -round which Mr. Kyffin's guests thankfully assembled. - -"Well, Harry, you wish to know the news I have brought, I doubt not," -said the captain, when at length he was sufficiently recovered to find -the use of his tongue. "Had you not come down to-night to assist in -saving me and these two country people of mine, in all human probability -your friend Captain Everard would not have recovered possession of -Stanmore. I am thankful to say, after much risk and anxiety, I -succeeded in getting a copy of the marriage certificate which was of -such importance, and to make security doubly sure, I brought over these -two old people who were witnesses to his father's marriage." - -"How can he ever repay you sufficiently?" said Harry; "I must set out -immediately to let him know the result of your mission." - -"No, no, my dear boy, you have gone through sufficient fatigue -to-night," said Mr. Kyffin. "You must do no such thing. The captain -will not be the worse for spending another night without knowing that he -can regain his property, and to-morrow morning we will go in due form, -when, perhaps, as the gale last night must have blown away all your -fever, you may be admitted into the presence of Mistress Mabel." - -Harry's countenance lighted up with pleasure at this suggestion of his -guardian. "Do you think she will see me?" he exclaimed. "She will not -deem me unworthy to appear in her presence?" - -"I don't know what the young lady will think of your past doings, Master -Harry," observed Captain Falwasser, "but I rather think that, as you -will take her a pretty fair certificate of your good conduct, you may -have reason to hope that she will receive you condescendingly. I tell -you, in my opinion, had it not been for you, Stanmore would have -remained in the possession of the Sleech family as long as any of that -sweet-sounding name exists. But see, my old friends, who do not -understand the words that have been said, are nodding. Your kind -housekeeper will, I dare say, see them put to roost." - -Before day had dawned, the sound of drums and fifes was heard, and -looking out of the window, Harry saw approaching from various -directions, and forming on the downs, numerous companies of volunteers. -Several officers on horseback rode along the cliff at a rapid rate, -stopping every now and then, sweeping with their spy-glasses the distant -horizon. Not a sail, however, was to be seen. They consulted together, -and were evidently disconcerted at finding no enemy to resist. He was -about to go out and meet them, but remembering his guardian's remarks on -the previous evening, he thought that they might possibly cause some -annoyance to the French captain. - -"They may as well find out all about the lugger by themselves," he -thought. - -After a time several of the coastguard appeared, when the military -having fired their muskets towards the south in defiance of their -expected invaders, once more wheeled about, and marched away to their -respective homes. - -"I like to see that sort of thing," observed Mr. Kyffin. "Englishmen -will ever be found ready to defend their native shores." - -Mr. Kyffin had sent in for a carriage at an early hour to Lynderton, and -soon after breakfast he, with Harry and their three visitors, set forth -for that town. They stopped before the bow-windowed house where Captain -Everard was residing with his aunt and daughter. Madam Everard was on -the steps preparing to go out, and just behind her stood Mabel. As -Harry descended from the carriage, why did Mabel start back and retreat -a little within the passage? Madam Everard kindly took Harry's hand, -and shook that of Mr. Kyffin. She cast an inquiring glance at the -captain, whom at first she did not recognise. - -"May we come in?" asked Harry, looking up eagerly towards Mabel. For an -instant he hesitated, then sprang up the steps past the old lady. Madam -Everard detained Mr. Kyffin and the captain for some minutes by making -inquiries and receiving answers. - -"Come in, come in," at length she answered. "Little did I expect to -receive such joyful intelligence. Accept my gratitude, Captain Rochard, -on my own account, and doubly thankful I am that by your means my dear -nephew and his daughter will recover their rights." - -A minute afterwards Mary was seen tripping down the street to the -news-room to summon the captain. He had gone there to read the account -just received of Lord Duncan's great victory at Camperdown. - -"Oh, sir!" exclaimed Mary, as she saw the captain, "it is happy news, -sir, happy news, better news than that about the battle. The French -captain has come back and brought two old country people with him, and -Madam Everard says we shall all get back to Stanmore." - -Mr. Wallace was in the room at the time, and the captain, scarcely -crediting the news, begged the lawyer to accompany him home. - -"The evidence is complete," observed Mr. Wallace, after he had looked -over the document brought by Captain Rochard, and by the help of that -gentleman had examined the old French people. "We can go with perfect -confidence of victory into a court of law, should Mr. Sleech venture to -oppose the claims of Captain Everard." - -"I trust that everything may be done in a peaceable way," observed Madam -Everard. "I cannot pretend to have any regard for that unhappy man, Mr. -Sleech, though his children are, it must be owned, my nephews and -nieces. I trust, however, that he will yield without opposition." - -Mr. Wallace promised to manage matters in as gentle a way as possible, -and that no time might be lost, he set out forthwith for Stanmore. Paul -Gauntlett, who very soon heard what was taking place, begged to -accompany him. - -"No, no," said the lawyer. "You, my friend, are a man of war. We will -call you in if it is necessary to proceed by ejectment, but at present I -hope the enemy will capitulate without an assault." - -The answer satisfied Paul. - -At that moment Dr. Jessop looked in to pay a professional visit to -Mabel. - -"I think she scarcely requires your services, doctor," observed Madam -Everard; "but if you, as a friend of the family, will accompany Mr. -Wallace, perhaps you may be able to aid him in his delicate and somewhat -painful mission." - -"Come, brother physic, come along then," said Mr. Wallace, as they -stepped into the carriage which had brought the party from Sea View -Cottage. "The sooner this matter is settled the better." - -Mr. Sleech was seated in his study in a flowery dressing-gown, the -hairdresser from Lynderton having just curled and powdered his peruke, -when a footman in the Stanmore livery, which he had lately assumed, -announced the lawyer and doctor. - -"What can they want with me?" he exclaimed. "Really, a man of rank and -position can scarcely call his time his own. Let them in, however." - -At that moment the Misses Sleech and one of their brothers came in from -the grounds. - -"Papa," exclaimed the young Mr. Sleech, "those fellows have not cut down -another tree. They say they don't mind putting the fences in order and -digging out the ditches, but that not one of them will lay an axe to a -root." - -"Impertinent fellows!" exclaimed Mr. Sleech. "I will see how they dare -disobey me." - -At that moment the visitors entered the room. - -"Your servant, gentlemen," said the master of Stanmore, performing one -of his newly-learned bows. "To what cause am I indebted for the honour -of this visit? Doctor, you are always welcome, whether you come as a -visitor or professionally," he added, holding out his hand, at the same -time turning a dark frown towards his brother lawyer, who took his seat -in silence. - -"As you ask me, Mr. Sleech," said Dr. Jessop, "I come now as a friend-- -as a friend of your family and that of the Everards. I wish that you -could have heard the expressions uttered but lately by your excellent -sister-in-law, Madam Everard. You must be aware that it was very -painful to her to leave Stanmore. The law allowed you to take -possession, it being supposed that no marriage had taken place between -Captain Everard's father and mother, notwithstanding the assertion of -the former that he had married in France. Of course Captain Everard has -taken every means to prove his legitimacy, and I must ask you now to be -prepared to receive the information, that not only is he in possession -of the certificate of the marriage, properly attested by the French -authorities, but that actually two French persons of respectability who -were present are at this moment in England, indeed at Lynderton." - -Mr. Sleech gasped for breath as the doctor proceeded, turning his -rolling eyeballs first at him and then at the lawyer. - -"Is it true what he says? Is it true, Wallace? Tell me," he exclaimed. - -"Perfectly true, Mr. Sleech," answered the lawyer. "You have no more -right to be in this house than I have; at the same time, the owners -desire that you should be treated with every kindness and -consideration." - -Mr. Sleech rose from his seat, and appeared as if he were about to rush -on his brother lawyer. - -"It is false! It is a vile conspiracy! They are impostors!" he -exclaimed. "I will not yield: I will die first!" - -"My good sir," exclaimed the doctor, placing himself between Mr. Sleech, -whose doubled fist was raised to strike Mr. Wallace, "let me entreat you -to becalm. This violence will do you no good, and is discreditable to -you." - -The unfortunate man stopped and gasped, and had not the doctor held him -up, he would have sunk to the ground. He was placed in a chair. -Restoratives were administered, and at length he recovered. - -"I yield," at last he said; "I played for a high stake, and I have lost. -They will have pity on me. That wretched boy of mine, his fate has -well-nigh broken my heart." - -In a few days Mr. Sleech and his family returned to the old red brick -building with the high roof in the High Street of Lynderton, which he -had inhabited since he entered business. - -The bells rang merrily out when Captain Everard and his daughter, -accompanied by Madam Everard and several friends, drove up the avenue -once more to Stanmore. Harry Tryon, however, never became its master. -The charms of Miss Coppinger had for some time before captured the heart -of the gallant captain, and in a short time after this she became his -bride, and, ultimately, the mother of a considerable number of fine sons -and girls, of whom, notwithstanding, Mabel was not in the slightest -degree jealous, as she by that time could boast of an equal number of -her own. The fortune her godfather had given her, and a very handsome -settlement made by Mr. Kyffin, enabled her to accept Harry Tryon's hand. -At the same time, the Baron de Ruvigny consoled himself for his past -disappointments by marrying Sybella Coppinger, and both he and Harry -joined Mr. Coppinger's firm, and by the time a permanent peace was once -more restored to Europe, had become among the first merchants of London. -With regard to Captain Falwasser, or Rochard, as he also called -himself, he was a true patriot, though a royalist, and had for some -political cause been compelled to leave France before the outbreak of -the revolution. He had been introduced to Mr. Pitt, and had been -employed by him in gaining information of proceedings in France. For -this purpose he had engaged the famous smuggling lugger, from which he -could land without observation on either coast. Disguised in a variety -of ways, he had been able to traverse France. Had he been captured, he -knew well that his life would have been sacrificed. For many years he -persevered, and at length, escaping all dangers, settled down at -Lynderton, where he was ever an honoured guest at Stanmore. Paul -Gauntlett once more took up his former office at the park, which he held -to a green old age; and Jacob Tuttle came home with the loss of an arm, -and married his faithful Mary. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Roger Kyffin's Ward, by W.H.G. 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