little novels-第56章

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〃In　the　meanwhile；　Mr。　Percy's　claim　has　been　brought　before　the　House　of　Commons；　and　has　been　adjourned　for　further　consideration　in　six　months'　time。　Both　the　gentlemen　are　indignantespecially　Mr。　Bowmore。　He　has　called　a　meeting　of　the　Club　to　consider　his　young　friend's　wrongs；　and　has　proposed　the　election　of　Mr。　Percy　as　a　member　of　that　revolutionary　society。〃

THIRD　NOTE。

〃Mr。　Percy　has　been　elected。　Captain　Bervie　has　tried　to　awaken　his　mind　to　a　sense　of　the　danger　that　threatens　him；　if　he　persists　in　associating　with　his　republican　friendsand　has　utterly　failed。　Mr。　Bowmore　and　Mr。　Percy　have　made　speeches　at　the　Club；　intended　to　force　the　latter　gentleman's　claim　on　the　immediate　attention　of　Government。　Mr。　Bowmore's　flow　of　frothy　eloquence　has　its　influence　（as　you　know　from　our　shorthand　writers'　previous　reports）　on　thousands　of　ignorant　people。　As　it　seems　to　me；　the　reasons　for　at　once　putting　this　man　in　prison　are　beyond　dispute。　Whether　it　is　desirable　to　include　Mr。　Percy　in　the　order　of　arrest；　I　must　not　venture　to　decide。　Let　me　only　hint　that　his　seditious　speech　rivals　the　more　elaborate　efforts　of　Mr。　Bowmore　himself。

〃So　much　for　the　present。　I　may　now　respectfully　direct　your　attention　to　the　future。

〃On　the　second　of　April　next　the　Club　assembles　a　public　meeting；　'in　aid　of　British　liberty；'　in　a　field　near　Dartford。　Mr。　Bowmore　is　to　preside；　and　is　to　be　escorted　afterward　to　Westminster　Hall　on　his　way　to　plead　Mr。　Percy's　cause；　in　his　own　person；　before　the　House　of　Commons。　He　is　quite　serious　in　declaring　that　'the　minions　of　Government　dare　not　touch　a　hair　of　his　head。'　Miss　Charlotte　agrees　with　her　father　And　Mr。　Percy　agrees　with　Miss　Charlotte。　Such　is　the　state　of　affairs　at　the　house　in　which　I　am　acting　the　part　of　domestic　servant。

〃I　inclose　shorthand　reports　of　the　speeches　recently　delivered　at　the　Hampden　Club；　and　have　the　honor　of　waiting　for　further　orders。〃

FOURTH　NOTE。

〃Your　commands　have　reached　me　by　this　morning's　post。

〃I　immediately　waited　on　Justice　Bervie　（in　plain　clothes；　of　course）；　and　gave　him　your　official　letter；　instructing　me　to　arrest　Mr。　Bowmore　and　Mr。　Percy　Linwood。

〃The　venerable　magistrate　hesitated。

〃He　quite　understood　the　necessity　for　keeping　the　arrest　a　strict　secret；　in　the　interests　of　Government。　The　only　reluctance　he　felt　in　granting　the　warrant　related　to　his　son's　intimate　friend。　But　for　the　peremptory　tone　of　your　letter；　I　really　believe　he　would　have　asked　you　to　give　Mr。　Percy　time　for　consideration。　Not　being　rash　enough　to　proceed　to　such　an　extreme　as　this；　he　slyly　consulted　the　young　man's　interests　by　declining；　on　formal　grounds；　to　date　the　warrant　earlier　than　the　second　of　April。　Please　note　that　my　visit　to　him　was　paid　at　noon；　on　the　thirty…first　of　March。

〃If　the　object　of　this　delay　（to　which　I　was　obliged　to　submit）　is　to　offer　a　chance　of　escape　to　Mr。　Percy；　the　same　chance　necessarily　includes　Mr。　Bowmore；　whose　name　is　also　in　the　warrant。　Trust　me　to　keep　a　watchful　eye　on　both　these　gentlemen；　especially　on　Mr。　Bowmore。　He　is　the　most　dangerous　man　of　the　two；　and　the　most　likely；　if　he　feels　any　suspicions；　to　slip　through　the　fingers　of　the　law。

〃I　have　also　to　report　that　I　discovered　three　persons　in　the　hall　of　Justice　Bervie's　house；　as　I　went　out。

〃One　of　them　was　his　son；　the　Captain；　one　was　his　daughter；　Miss　Bervie；　and　the　third　was　that　smooth…tongued　old　soldier；　Major　Mulvany。　If　the　escape　of　Mr。　Bowmore　and　Mr。　Linwood　is　in　contemplation；　mark　my　words：　the　persons　whom　I　have　just　mentioned　will　be　concerned　in　itand　perhaps　Miss　Charlotte　herself　as　well。　At　present；　she　is　entirely　unsuspicious　of　any　misfortune　hanging　over　her　head；　her　attention　being　absorbed　in　the　preparation　of　her　bridal　finery。　As　an　admirer　myself　of　the　fair　sex；　I　must　own　that　it　seems　hard　on　the　girl　to　have　her　lover　clapped　into　prison；　before　the　wedding…day。

〃I　will　bring　you　word　of　the　arrest　myself。　There　will　be　plenty　of　time　to　catch　the　afternoon　coach　to　London。

〃Hereunless　something　happens　which　it　is　impossible　to　foreseemy　report　may　come　to　an　end。〃

*　Readers　who　may　desire　to　test　the　author's　authority　for　this　statement；　are　referred　to　〃The　Annual　Register〃　for　1817；　Chapters　I。　and　III。；　and；　further　on；　to　page　66　in　the　same　volume。

CHAPTER　X。

THE　ELOPEMENT。

ON　the　evening　of　the　first　of　April；　Mrs。　Bowmore　was　left　alone　with　the　servants。　Mr。　Bowmore　and　Percy　had　gone　out　together　to　attend　a　special　meeting　of　the　Club。　Shortly　afterward　Miss　Charlotte　had　left　the　cottage；　under　very　extraordinary　circumstances。

A　few　minutes　only　after　the　departure　of　her　father　and　Percy；　she　received　a　letter；　which　appeared　to　cause　her　the　most　violent　agitation。　She　said　to　Mrs。　Bowmore：

〃Mamma；　I　must　see　Captain　Bervie　for　a　few　minutes　in　private；　on　a　matter　of　serious　importance　to　all　of　us。　He　is　waiting　at　the　front　gate；　and　he　will　come　in　if　I　show　myself　at　the　hall　door。〃

Upon　this；　Mrs。　Bowmore　had　asked　for　an　explanation。

〃There　is　no　time　for　explanation；〃　was　the　only　answer　she　received；　〃I　ask　you　to　leave　me　for　five　minutes　alone　with　the　Captain。　〃

Mrs。　Bowmore　still　hesitated。　Charlotte　snatched　up　her　garden　hat；　and　declared；　wildly；　that　she　would　go　out　to　Captain　Bervie；　if　she　was　not　permitted　to　receive　him　at　home。　In　the　face　of　this　declaration；　Mrs。　Bowmore　yielded；　and　left　the　room。

In　a　minute　more　the　Captain　made　his　appearance。

Although　she　had　given　way；　Mrs。　Bowmore　was　not　disposed　to　trust　her　daughter；　without　supervision；　in　the　society　of　a　man　whom　Charlotte　herself　had　reviled　as　a　slanderer　and　a　false　friend。　She　took　up　her　position　in　the　veranda　outside　the　parlor；　at　a　safe　distance　from　one　of　the　two　windows　of　the　room　which　had　been　left　partially　open　to　admit　the　fresh　air。　Here　she　waited　and　listened。

The　conversation　was　for　some　time　carried　on　in　whispers。

As　they　became　more　and　more　excited；　both　Charlotte　and　Bervie　ended　in　unconsciously　raising　their　voices。

〃I　swear　it　to　you　on　my　faith　as　a　Christian！〃　Mrs。　Bowmore　heard　the　Captain　say。　〃I　declare　before　God　who　hears　me　that　I　am　speaking　the　truth！〃

And　Charlotte　had　answered；　with　a　burst　of　tears：

〃I　can't　believe　you！　I　daren't　believe　you！　Oh；　how　can　you　ask　me　to　do　such　a　thing？　Let　me　go！　let　me　go！〃

Alarmed　at　those　words；　Mrs。　Bowmore　advanced　to　the　window　and　looked　in。

Bervie　had　put　her　da　ughter's　arm　on　his　arm；　and　was　trying　to　induce　her　to　leave　the　parlor　with　him。　She　resisted；　and　implored　him　to　release　her。　He　dropped　her　arm；　and　whispered　in　her　ear。　She　looked　at　himand　instantly　made　up　her　mind。

〃Let　me　tell　my　mother　where　I　am　going；〃　she　said；　〃and　I　will　consent。〃

〃Be　it　so！〃　he　answered。　〃And　remember　one　thing：　every　minute　is　precious；　the　fewest　words　are　the　best。〃

Mrs。　Bowmore　re…entered　the　cottage　by　the　adjoining　room；　and　met　them　in　the　passage。　In　few　words；　Charlotte　spoke。

〃I　must　go　at　once　to　Justice　Bervie's　house。　Don't　be　afraid；　mamma！　I　know　what　I　am　about；　and　I　know　I　am　right。〃

〃Going　to　Justice　Bervie's！〃　cried　Mrs。　Bowmore；　in　the　utmost　extremity　of　astonishment。　〃What　will　your　father　say；　what　will　Percy　think；　when　they　come　back　from　the　Club？〃

〃My　sister's　carriage　is　waiting　for　me　close　by；〃　Bervie　answered。　〃It　is　entirely　at　Miss　Bowmore's　disposal。　She　can　easily　get　back；　if　she　wishes　to　keep　her　visit　a　secret；　before　Mr。　Bowmore　and　Mr。　Linwood　return。〃

He　led　her　to　the　door　as　he　spoke。　She　ran　back　and　kissed　her　mother　tenderly。　Mrs。　Bowmore　called　to　them　to　wait。

〃I　daren't　let　you　go；〃　she　said　to　her　daughter；　〃without　your　father's　leave！〃

Charlotte　seemed　not　to　hear；　the　Captain　seemed　not　to　hear。　They　ran　across　the　front　garden；　and　through　the　gateand　were　out　of　sight　in　less　than　a　minute。

More　than　two　hours　passed；　the　sun　sank　below　the　horizon；　and　still　there　were　no　signs　of　Charlotte's　return。

Feeling　seriously　uneasy；　Mrs。　Bowmore　crossed　the　room　to　ring　the　bell；　and　send　the　man…servant　to　Justice　Bervie's　house　to　hasten　her　daughter's　return。

As　she　approached　the　fireplace；　she　was　startled　by　a　sound　of　stealthy　footsteps　in　the　hall；　followed　by　a　loud　noise　as　of　some　heavy　object　that　had　dropped　on　the　floor。　She　rang　the　bell　violently；　and　opened　the　door　of　the　parlor。　At　the　same　moment；　the　spy…footman　passed　her；　running　out；　apparently　in　pursuit　of　somebody；　at　the　top　of　his　speed。　She　followed　him；　as　rapidly　as　she　could；　across　the　little　front　garden；　to　the　gate。　Arrived　in　the　road；　she　was　in　time　to　see　him　vault　upon　the　luggage…board　at　the　back　of　a　post…chaise　before　the　cottage；　just　as　the　postilion　started　the　horses　on　their　way　to　London。　The　spy　saw　Mrs。　Bowmore　looking　at　him；　and　pointed；　with　an　insolent　nod　of　his　head；　first　to　the　inside　of　the　vehicle；　and　then　over　it　to　the　high…road；　signing　to　her　that　he　designed　to　accompany　the　person　in　the　post…chaise　to　the　end　of　the　journey。

Turning　to　go　back；　Mrs。　Bowmore　saw　her　own　bewilderment　reflected　in　the　faces　of　the　two　female　servants；　who　had　followed　her　out。

〃Who　can　the　footman　be　after；　ma'am？〃　asked　the　cook。　〃Do　you　think　it's　a　thief？〃

The　housemaid　pointed　to　the　post…chaise；　barely　visible　in　the　distance。

〃Simpleton！〃　she　said。　〃Do　thieves　travel　in　that　way？　I　wish　my　master　had　come　back；〃　she　proceeded；　speaking　to　herself：　〃I'm　afraid　there's　something　wrong。〃

Mrs。　Bowmore；　returning　through　the　garden…gate；　instantly　stopped　and　looked　at　the　woman。

〃What　makes　you　mention　your　master's　name；　Amelia；　when　you　fear　that　something　is　wrong？〃　she　asked。

Amelia　changed　color；　and　looked　confused。

〃I　am　loth　to　alarm　you；　ma'am；〃　she　said；　〃and　I　can't　rightly　see　what　it　is　my　duty　to　do。〃

Mrs。　Bowmore's　heart　sank　within　her　under　the　cruelest　of　all　terrors；　the　terror　of　something　unknown。　〃Don't　keep　me　in　suspense；〃　she　said　faintly。　〃Whatever　it　is；　let　me　know　it。〃

She　led　the　way　back　to　the　parlor。　The　housemaid　followed　her。　The　cook　（declining　to　be　left　alone）　followed　the　housemaid。

〃It　was　something　I　heard　early　this　afternoon；　ma'am；〃　Amelia　began。　〃Cook　happened　to　be　busy〃

The　cook　interposed：　she　had　not　forgiven　the　housemaid　for　calling　her　a　simpleton。　〃No；　Amelia；　if　you　_must_　bring　me　into　itnot　busy。　Uneasy　in　my　mind　on　the　subject　of　the　soup。〃

〃I　don't　know　that　your　mind　makes　much　difference；〃　Amelia　resumed。　〃What　it　comes　to　is　thisit　was　I；　and　not　you；　who　went　into　the　kitchen…garden　for　the　vegetables。〃

〃Not　by　_my_　wish；　Heaven　knows！〃　persisted　the　cook。

〃Leave　the　room！〃　said　Mrs。　Bowmore。　Even　her　patience　had　given　way　at　last。

The　cook　looked　as　if　she　declined　to　believe　her　own　ears。　Mrs。　Bowmore　pointed　to　the　door。　The　cook　said　〃Oh？〃accenting　it　as　a　question。　Mrs。　Bowmore's　finger　still　pointed。　The　cook；　in　solemn　silence；　yielded　to　circumstances；　and　banged　the　door。

〃I　was　getting　the　vegetables；　ma'am；〃　Amelia　proceeded；　〃when　I　heard　voices　on　the　other　side　of　the　paling。　The　wood　is　so　old　that　one　can　see　through　the　c