had scarce remarked this circumstance, before a party of customers entered the place, whose haughty assumption of importance claimed the instant attention of Bridlesley, and all his militia of grooms and stableboys. "Three good horses," said the leader of the party, a tall bulky man, whose breath was drawn full and high, under a consciousness of fat, and of importance three good and able-bodied horses, for the service of the Commons of England." Bridlesley said he had some horses which might serve the Speaker himself at need; but that, to speak Christian truth, he had just sold the best in his stable to that gentleman present, who, doubtless, would give up the bargain if the horse was needed for the service of the state. "You speak well, friend," said the important personage; and advancing to Julian, demanded, in a very haughty tone, the surrender of the purchase which he had just made. Peveril, with some difficulty, subdued the strong desire which he felt to return a round refusal to so unreasonable a request, but fortunately, recollecting that the situation in which he at present stood, required, on his part, much circumspection, he replied simply, that upon showing him any warrant to seize upon horses for the public service, he must of course submit to resign his purchase. The man, with an air of extreme dignity, pulled from his pocket, and thrust into Peveril's hands, a warrant subscribed by the Speaker of the House of Commons, empowering Charles Topham, their officer of the Black Rod, to pursue and seize upon the persons of certain individuals named in the warrant; and of all other persons who are, or should be, accused by competent witnesses, of being accessory to, or favourers of, the hellish and damnable Popish Plot, at present carried on within the bowels of the kingdom; and charging all men, as they loved their allegiance, to render the said Charles Topham their readiest and most effective assistance, in execution of the duty intrusted to his care. On perusing a document of such weighty import, Julian had no hesitation to give up his horse to this formidable functionary; whom somebody compared to a lion, which, as the House of Commons was pleased to maintain such an animal, they were under the necessity of providing for by frequent commitments; until "Take him, Topham," became a proverb, and a formidable one, in the mouth of the public. The acquiescence of Peveril procured him some grace in the sight of the emissary; who, before selecting two horses for his attendants, gave permission to the stranger to purchase a gray horse, much inferior indeed to that which he had resigned, both nu form and in action, but very little lower in price, as Mr. Bridlesley, immediately on learning the demand for horses upon the part of the Commons of England, had passed a private resolution in his own mind, augmenting the price of his whole stud, by an imposition of at least twenty per cent, ad valorem. Peveril adjusted and paid the price with much less argument than on the former occasion; for, to be plain with the reader, he had noticed in the warrant of Mr. Topham, the name of his father, Sir Geoffrey Peveril of Martindale Castle, engrossed at full length, as one of those subjected to arrest by that officer. When aware of this material fact, it became Julian's business to leave Liverpool directly, and carry the alarm to Derbyshire, if, indeed, Mr. Topham had not already executed his charge in that country, which he thought unlikely, as it was probable they would commence by securing those who lived nearest to the seaports. A word or two which he overheard, strengthened his hopes. “And hark ye, friend," said Mr. Topham; "you will have the horses at the door of Mr. Shortell, the mercer, in two hours, as we shall refresh ourselves there with a cool tankard, and learn what folks live in the neighbourhood that may be concerned in my way. And you will please to have that saddle padded, for I am told the Derbyshire roads are rough. And you, Captain Dangerfield, and Master Everett, you must put on your Protestant spectacles, and show me where there is the shadow of a priest, or of a priest's favourer; for I am come down with a broom in my cap to sweep this north country of such like cattle." One of the persons he thus addressed, who wore the garb of a broken-down citizen, only answered, "Ay, truly, Master Topham, it is time to purge the garner." The other, who had a formidable pair of whiskers, a red nose, and a tarnished laced coat, together with a hat of Pistol's dimensions, was more loquacious. 'I take it on my damnation," said this zealous Protestant witness, "that I will discover the marks of the beast on every one of them betwixt sixteen and seventy, as plainly as if they had crossed themselves with ink, instead of holy water. Since we have a King willing to do justice, and a House of Commons to uphold prosecutions, why, damn me, the cause must not stand still for lack of evidence." "Stick to that, noble captain," answered the officer; "but, prithee, reserve thy oaths for the court of justice; it is but sheer waste to throw them away, as you do, in your ordinary conversation." "Fear you nothing, Master Topham," answered Dangerfield; "it is right to keep a man's gifts in use; and were I altogether to renounce oaths in my private discourse, how should I know how to use one when I needed it? But you hear me use none of your Papist abjurations. I swear not by the Mass, or before George, or by any thing that belongs to idolatry; but such downright oaths as may serve a poor Protestant gentleman, who would fain serve Heaven and the King." "Bravely spoken, most noble Festus," said his yoke-fellow.-"But do not suppose, that although I am not in the habit of garnishing my words with oaths out of season, I shall be wanting, when called upon to declare the height and the depth, the width and the length, of this hellish plot against the King and the Protestant faith." Dizzy, and almost sick, with listening to the undis guised brutality of these fellows, Peveril, having with difficulty prevailed on Bridlesley to settle his purchase, at length led forth his gray steed; but was scarce out of the yard, when he heard the following alarming conversation pass, of which he seemed himself the object. Who is that youth?" said the slow soft voice of the more precise of the two witnesses. "Methinks I have seen him somewhere before. Is he from these parts!" "Not that I know of," said Bridlesley; who, like all the other inhabitants of England at the time, answered the interrogatories of these fellows with the deference which is paid in Spain to the question of an inquisitor. A stranger-entirely a strangernever saw him before-a wild young colt, I warrant him; and knows a horse's mouth as well as I do." "I begin to bethink me I saw such a face as his at the Jesuits' consult, in the White Horse Tavern,' answered Everett. 66 field 46 And I think I recollect," said Captain Danger Come, come, master and captain," said the authoritative voice of Topham, "we will have none of your recollections at present. We all know what these are likely to end in. But I will have you know, you are not to run till the leash is slipped. The young man is a well looking lad, and gave up his horse handsomely for the service of the House of Commons. He knows how to behave himself to his betters, I warrant you: and I scarce think he has enough in his purse to pay the fees."* This speech concluded the dialogue, which Peveril, finding himself so much concerned in the issue, * The infamous character of those who contrived and carried on the pretended Popish Plot, may be best estimated by the account given in North's Examen, who describes Oates himself with considerable power of colouring. "He has now in his trine exaltation, his plot in full force, efficacy, and virtue; he walked about with his guards (assigned for fear of the Papists murdering him. He had lodgings in Whitehall, and 1200/ per annum pension: And no wonder, after he had the impudence to say to the House of Lords, in plain terms, that, if thes thought it best to hear to an end. Now when it At length, near Altringham, a halt became unavoidceased, to get out of the town unobserved, and take able; and Peveril had only to look for some quiet and the nearest way to his father's castle, seemed his sequestered place of refreshment. This presented wisest plan. He had settled his reckoning at the inn, itself, in the form of a small cluster of cottages; the and brought with him to Bridlesley's the small port-best of which united the characters of an alehouse manteau which contained his few necessaries, so that and a mill, where the sign of the Cat, (the landlord's he had no occasion to return thither. He resolved, faithful ally in defence of his mealsacks,) booted as therefore, to ride some miles before he stopped, even high as Grimalkin in the fairy tale, and playing on the for the purpose of feeding his horse; and being pretty fiddle for the more grace, announced that John Whitewell acquainted with the country, he hoped to be able craft united the two honest occupations of landlord to push forward to Martindale Castle sooner than the and miller; and, doubtless, took toll from the public worshipful Master Topham; whose saddle was, in in both capacities. the first place, to be padded, and who, when mounted, would, in all probability, ride with the precaution of those who require such security against the effects of a hard trot. Under the influence of these feelings, Julian pushed for Warrington, a place with which he was well acquainted; but, without halting in the town, he crossed the Mersey, by the bridge built by an ancestor of his friend the Earl of Derby, and continued his route towards Dishley, on the borders of Derbyshire. He might have reached this latter village easily, had his horse been fitter for a forced march; but in the course of the journey, he had occasion, more than once. to curse the official dignity of the person who had robbed him of his better steed, while taking the best direction he could through a country with which he was only generally acquainted. would not help him to more money, he must be forced to help himself. He put on an Episcopal garb, (except the lawn sleeves,) silk-gown and cassock, great hat, satin hat-band and rose, long scarf, and was called, or most blasphemously called himself, the Saviour of the nation; whoever he pointed at, was taken up and committed: so that many people got out of his way, as from a blast, and glad they could prove their two last years' conversation. The very breath of him was pestilential, and, if it brought not imprisonment, or death, over such on whom it fell, it surely poisoned reputation, and left good Protestants arrant Papists, and something worse than that-in danger of being put in the plot as traitors. Upon his examination before the Commons, the Lord-Chief Justice Scroggs was sent for to the House, and there signed warrants for the imprisonment of five Roman Catholic peers, upon which they were laid up in the Tower. The votes of the Houses seemed to confirm the whole. A solemn form of prayer was desired upon the subject of the plot and when one was prepared, it was found faulty, because the Papists were not named as authors of it: God surely knew whether it were so or not: however, it was yielded to, that omniscience might not want information. The Queen herself was accused at the Commons' bar. The city, for fear of the Papists, put up their posts and chains and the chamberlain, Sir Thomas Player, in the Court of Aldermen, gave his reason for the city's using that caution, which was, that he did not know but the next morning they might all rise with their throats cut. The trials, convictions, and executions of the priests, Jesuits, and others, were had, and attended with vast mob and noise. Nothing ordinary or moderate was to be heard in people's communication; but every debate and action was high-flown and tumultuous. All freedom of speech was taken away; and not to believe the plot, was worse than being Turk, Jew, or infidel. For this fact of Godfrey's murder, the three poor men of Somerset-house were, as was said, convicted. The most pitiful circumstance was that of their trial, under the popular prejudice against them. The Lord-Chief Justice Scroggs took in with the tide, and ranted for the plot, hewing down Popery, as Scanderbeg hewed the Turk; which was but little propitious to them. The other judges were passive, and meddled little, except some that were takers in also; and particuJarly the good Recorder Treby, who eased the Attorney-General, for he seldom asked a question, but one might guess he foresaw the answer. Some may blame the (at best) passive behaviour of the judges; but really, considering it was impossible to stem such a current, the appearing to do it in vain had been more unprofitable, because it had inflamed the great and small rout, drawn scandal on themselves, and disabled them from taking in when opportunity should be more favourable. The prisoners, under these hardships, had enough to do to make any defence; for where the testimony was positive, it was conclusive; for no reasoning ab improbabilt would serve the turn; it must be a impossibili, or not at all. Whoever doth not well observe the power of judging, may think many things, in the course of Justice, very strange. If one side is held to demonstration, and the other allowed presumptions for proofs, any cause may be carried. In a word, anger, policy, inhumanity, and prejudice, had, at this time, a planetary possession of the minds of most men, and destroyed in them that golden rule, of doing as they would be done unto." In another passage Oates's personal appearance is thus described." He was a low man, of an ill cut, very short neck, and his visage and features were most particular. His mouth was the centre of his face; and a compass there would sweep his nose, forehead, and chin, within the perimeter. Cave quos ipse Deus notavit. In a word, he was a most consummate cheat, blasphemer, vicious, perjured, impudent, and saucy, foul-mouth'd wretch; and were it not for the truth of history, and the great emotions in the public he was the cause of, not hit (so little de serving) to be remembered." Such a place promised a traveller, who journeyed incognito, safer, if not better accommodation, than he was like to meet with in more frequented inns; and at the door of the Cat and Fiddle, Julian halted accordingly. CHAPTER XXI. In these distracted times, when each man dreads OTWAT. AT the door of the Cat and Fiddle, Julian received the usual attention paid to the customers of an inferior house of entertainment. His horse was carried by a ragged lad, who acted as hostler, into a paltry stable where, however, the nag was tolerably supplied with food and litter. Having seen the animal on which his comfort, perhaps his safety, depended, properly provided for, Peveril entered the kitchen, which indeed was also the parlour and hall of the little hostelry, to try what refreshment he could obtain for himself. Much to his satisfaction, he found there was only one guest in the house besides himself; but he was less pleased when he found that he must either go without dinner, or share with that single guest the only provisions which chanced to be in the house, namely, a dish of trouts and eels, which their host, the miller, had brought in from his mill-stream. At the particular request of Julian, the landlady undertook to add a substantial dish of eggs and bacon, which, perhaps she would not have undertaken for, had not the sharp eye of Peveril discovered the flitch hanging in its smoky retreat, when, as its presence could not be denied, the hostess was compelled to bring it forward as a part of her supplies. She was a buxom dame about thirty, whose comely and cheerful countenance did honour to the choice of the jolly miller, her loving mate; and was now stationed under the shade of an old-fashioned huge projecting chimney, within which it was her province to work i' the fire," and provide for the wearied wayfaring man the good things which were to send him rejoicing on his course. Although, at first, the honest woman seemed little disposed to give herself much additional trouble on Julian's account, yet the good looks, handsome figure, and easy civility of her new guest, soon bespoke the principal part of her attention; and while busy in his service, she regarded him, from time to time, with looks, where something like pity mingled with complacency. The rich smoke of the rasher, and the eggs with which it was flanked, already spread itself through the apartment; and the hissing of these savoury viands bore chorus to the simmering of the pan, in which the fish were undergoing a slower decoction. The table was covered with a clean huck-a-back napkin, and all was in preparation for the meal, which Julian began to expect with a good deal of impatience, when the companion who was destined to share it with him, entered the apartment. At the first glance, Julian recognised, to his surprise, the same indifferently-dressed, thin-looking person, who, during the first bargain which he had made with Bridlesley, had officiously interfered with his advice and opinion. Displeased at having the company of any stranger forced upon him, Peveril was still less satisfied to find one who might make some claim of acquaintance with him, however slender, since the circumstances in which he stood compelled him to be as reserved as possible. He therefore turned his back upon his destined messmate, and pretended to amuse himself by looking out of the window, de- | jug of home-brewed ale being placed betwixt them, termined to avoid all intercourse until it should be was warranted by Dame Whitecraft as excellent; inevitably forced upon him. "for," said she, "we know by practice that too much water drowns the miller, and we spare it on our malt as we would in our mill-dam." In the mean while, the other stranger went straight up to the landlady, where she toiled on household cares intent, and demanded of her, what she meant by preparing bacon and eggs, when he had positively charged her to get nothing ready but the fish. The good woman, important as every cook in the discharge of her duty, deigned not for some time so much as to acknowledge that she heard the reproof of her guest; and when she did so, it was only to repel it in a magisterial and authoritative tone. "If he did not like bacon (bacon from their own hutch, well fed on pease and bran)-if he did not like bacon and eggs (new-laid eggs, which she had brought in from the hen-roost with her own hands)-why so put case it was the worse for his honour, and the better for those who did." "The better for those who like them?" answered the guest; "that is as much as to say I am to have a companion, good woman.' "Do not good woman me, sir," replied the miller's wife, "till I call you good man; and, I promise you, many would scruple to do that to one who does not love eggs and bacon of a Friday." "Nay, my good lady," said her guest, "do not fix any misconstruction upon me-I dare say the eggs and the bacon are excellent; only, they are rather a dish too heavy for my stomach.' "Ay, or your conscience perhaps, sir," answered the hostess. And now, I bethink me, you must needs have your fish fried with oil, instead of the good drippings I was going to put to them. I would I could spell the meaning of all this now; but I warrant John Bigstaff, the constable, could conjure something out of it." There was a pause here; but Julian, somewhat alarmed at the tone which the conversation assumed, became interested in watching the dumb show which succeeded. By bringing his head a little towards the left, but without turning round, or quitting the projecting latticed window where he had taken his station, he could observe that the stranger, secured, as he seemed to think himself, from observation, had sidled close up to the landlady, and, as he conceived, had put a piece of money into her hand. The altered tone of the miller's moiety corresponded very much with this supposition. "I drink to your health, in it, dame," said the elder stranger; and a cup of thanks for these excellent fish; and to the drowning of all unkindness between us.' "I thank you, sir," said the dame, "and wish you the like; but I dare not pledge you, for our Gaffer says, the ale is brewed too strong for women; so I only drink a glass of canary at a time with a gossip, or any gentleman guest that is so minded." You shall drink one with me then, dame," said Peveril, "so you will let me have a flagon." "That you shall, sir, and as good as ever was broached; but I must to the mill, to get the key from the goodman." So saying, and tucking her clean gown through the pocket-holes, that her steps might be the more alert, and her dress escape dust, off she tripped to the mill, which lay close adjoining. "A dainty dame, and dangerous, is the miller's wife," said the stranger, looking at Peveril. "Is not that old Chaucer's phrase?" "I-I believe so," said Peveril, not much read in Chaucer, who was then even more neglected than at present; and much surprised at a literary quotation from one of the mean appearance exhibited by the person before him. ་་ Yes," answered the stranger, "I see that you, like other young gentlemen of the time, are better acquainted with Cowley and Waller, than with the well of English undefiled.' I cannot help differing. There are touches of nature about the old bard of Woodstock, that, to me, are worth all the turns of laborious wit in Cowley, and all the ornate and artificial simplicity of his courtly competitor. The description, for instance, of his country coquette,'Wincing she was, as is a wanton colt, Sweet as a flower, and upright as a bolt.' Then again, for pathos, where will you mend the dying scene of Arcite? 'Alas, my heartis queen! alas, my wife t Giver at once, and ender of my life. What is this world?-What axen men to have? But I tire you, sir; and do injustice to the poet, whom "On the contrary, sir" replied Peveril," you make him more intelligible to me in your recitation, than 1 have found him when I have tried to peruse him my self." "Nay, indeed, and forsooth," she said. "her house was Liberty-hall; and so should every publican's be. What was it to her what gentlefolks ate or drank, providing they paid for it honestly? There were many honest gentlemen, whose stomachs could not abide bacon, grease, or dripping, especially on a Friday; and what was that to her, or to any one in her "You were only frightened by the antiquated spellline, so gentlefolks paid honestly for the trouble?-ing, and 'the letters black,'" said his companion. "It Only, she would say, that her bacon and eggs could is many a scholar's case, who mistakes a nut, which not be mended betwixt this and Liverpool; and that he could crack with a little exertion, for a bullet, she would live and die upon." which he must needs break his teeth on; but yours are better employed.-Shall I offer you some of this fish?" "I shall hardly dispute it," said the stranger; and turning towards Julian, he added, "I wish this gentleman, who I suppose is my trencher-companion, much joy of the dainties which I cannot assist him in consuming." "I assure you, sir," answered Peveril, who now felt himself compelled to turn about, and reply with civility, that it was with difficulty I could prevail on my landlady to add my cover to yours, though she seems now such a zealot for the consumption of eggs and bacon." "I am zealous for nothing," said the landlady, save that men would eat their victuals, and pay their score; and if there be enough in one dish to serve two guests, I see little purpose in dressing them two; however, they are ready now, and done to a nicety. Here, Alice! Alice!" The sound of that well-known name made Julian start; but the Alice who replied to the call ill resembled the vision which his imagination connected with the accents, being a dowdy slipshod wench, the drudge of the low inn which afforded him shelter. She assisted her mistress in putting on the table the lishes which the latter had prepared; and a foaming VOL. IV. 2 C "Not so, sir," replied Julian, willing to show himself a man of reading in his turn; "I hold with old Caius, and profess to fear judgment, to fight where I cannot choose, and to eat no fish." The stranger cast a startled look around him at this observation, which Julian had thrown out, on purpose to ascertain, if possible, the quality of his companion, whose present language was so different from the character he had assumed at Bridlesley's. His countenance, too, although the features were of an ordinary, not to say mean cast, had that character of intelligence which education gives to the most homely face; and his manners were so easy and disembarrassed, as plainly showed a complete acquaintance with society, as well as the habit of mingling with it in the higher stages. The alarm which he had evidently shown at Peveril's answer, was but momentary; for he almost instantly replied, with a smile, "I promise you, sir, that you are in no dangerous company; for, notwithstanding my fish dinner, I am much disposed to trifle with some of your savoury mess, if you will indulge me so far." Peveril accordingly reinforced the stranger's [ along with justices and constables. All the world trencher with what remained of the bacon and eggs, knows how they come by their money." and saw him swallow a mouthful or two with appa- "Ay, but all the world knows that they do come rent relish; but presently after, he began to dally with by it, dame; and that is a great comfort. They his knife and fork, like one whose appetite was rustle in their canonical silks, and swagger in their satiated; then took a long draught of the black jack, buff and scarlet, who but they?-Ay, ay, the cursed and handed his platter to the large mastiff dog, who fox thieves-and not so cursed neither. Is there not attracted by the smell of the dinner, had sat down Doctor Titus Oates, the saviour of the nation-does before him for some time, licking his chops, and fol- he not live at Whitehall, and eat off plate, and have lowing with his eye every morsel which the guest a pension of thousands a-year, for what I know? and raised to his head. is he not to be Bishop of Litchfield, so soon as Dr. Doddrum dies?" "Here, my poor fellow," said he, "thou hast had no fish, and needest this supernumerary trencher-load more than I do. I cannot withstand thy mute supplication any longer." The dog answered these courtesies by a civil shake of the tail, while he gobbled up what was assigned him by the stranger's benevolence, in the greater haste, that he heard his mistress's voice at the door. "Here is the canary, gentlemen," said the landlady; "and the goodman has set off the mill to come to wait on you himself. He always does so, when company drink wine." "Very true, dame," said her elder guest; "that is what I call keeping a good publican conscience; and so I will pay score presently, and be jogging on my way." Peveril, on his part, also demanded a reckoning, and discharged it so liberally, that the miller flourished his hat as he bowed, and the hostess curtsied down to the ground. "That he may come in for the host's, that is, for the lion's share," said the stranger, looking at Peveril. "The shot is mine," said Julian; "and if mine host will share it, I will willingly bestow another quart on him, and on you, sir. I never break old customs." These sounds caught the ear of Gaffer Whitecraft, who had entered the room, a strapping specimen of The horses of both guests were brought forth: and his robust trade, prepared to play the civil, or the surly they mounted, in order to depart in company. The host, as his company should be acceptable or other-host and hostess stood in the doorway, to see them wise. At Julian's invitation, he doffed his dusty bonnet-brushed from his sleeve the looser particles of his professional dust-and sitting down on the end of a bench, about a yard from the table, filled a glass of canary, and drank to his guests, and "especially to this noble gentleman," indicating Peveril, who had ordered the canary. depart. The landlord proffered a stirrup-cup to the elder guest, while the landlady offered Peveril a glass from her own peculiar bottle. For this purpose, she mounted on the horse-block, with flask and glass in hand; so that it was easy for the departing guest, although on horseback, to return the courtesy in the most approved manner, namely, by throwing his arm over his landlady's shoulder, and saluting her at parting. Dame Whitecraft could not decline this familiarity; for there is no room for traversing upon a horseblock, and the hands which might have served her for resistance, were occupied with glass and bottlematters too precious to be thrown away in such a struggle. Apparently, however, she had something else in her head; for, as, after a brief affectation of reluctance, she permitted Peveril's face to approach hers, she whispered in his ear, Beware of trepans!" Julian returned the courtesy by drinking his health, and asking what news were about in the country. "Naught, sir, I hears on naught except this Plot, as they call it, that they are pursuing the Papishers about; but it brings water to my mill, as the saying is. Between expresses hurrying hither and thither, and guards and prisoners riding to and again, and the custom of the neighbours, that come to speak over the news of an evening, nightly I may say, instead of once a-week, why the spigot is in use, gentlemen, and your land thrives; and then I serving as constable, and being a known Protestant, I have tapped, I may-an awful intimation, which, in those days of disventure to say, it may be ten stands of ale extraordi- trust, suspicion, and treachery, was as effectual in nary, besides a reasonable sale of wine for a country interdicting free and social intercourse, as the advercorner. Heaven make us thankful, and keep all tisement of "man-traps and spring-guns," to protect good Protestants from Plot and Popery!" an orchard. Pressing her hand, in intimation that he comprehended her hint, she shook his warmly in return, and bade God speed him. There was a cloud on John Whitecraft's brow; nor did his final farewell sound half so cordial as that which had been spoken within doors. But then Peveril reflected, that the same guest is not always equally acceptable to landlord and landlady; and unconscious of having done any thing to excite the miller's displeasure, he pursued his journey without thinking farther of the matter. "I can easily conceive, my friend," said Julian, "that curiosity is a passion which runs naturally to the alehouse; and that anger, and jealousy, and fear, are all of them thirsty passions, and great consumers of home-brewed. But I am a perfect stranger in these parts; and I would willingly learn, from a sensible man like you, a little of this same Plot, of which men speak so much, and appear to know so little." "Learn a little of it?-Why, it is the most horrible -the most damnable, blood-thirsty beast of a PlotBut hold, hold, my good master ; hope, in the first place, you believe there is a plot? for, otherwise, the Justice must have a word with you, so sure as my name is John Whitecraft.' "It shall not need," said Peveril; "for I assure you, mine host, I believe in the Plot as freely and fully as a man can believe in any thing he cannot understand." "God forbid that any body should pretend to understand it," said the implicit constable; for his worship the Justice says it is a mile beyond him; and he be as deep as most of them. But men may believe, though they do not understand; and that is what the Romanists say themselves. But this I am sure of, it makes a rare stirring time for justices, and witnesses, and constables. So here's to your health again, gentlemen, in a cup of neat canary." ་་ 'Come, come, John Whitecraft," said his wife, “do not you demean yourself by naming witnesses Julian was a little surprised, and not altogether pleased, to find that his new acquaintance held the same road with him. He had many reasons for wishing to travel alone; and the hostess's caution still rung in his ears. If this man, possessed of so much shrewdness as his countenance and conversation intimated, versatile, as he had occasion to remark, and disguised beneath his condition, should prove, as was likely, to be a concealed Jesuit or seminary-priest, travelling upon their great task of the conversion of England, and rooting out of the Northern heresy,-a more dangerous companion, for a person in his own circumstances, could hardly be imagined; since keeping society with him might seem to authorize whatever reports had been spread concerning the attachment of his family to the Catholic cause. At the same time, it was very difficult, without actual rudeness, to shake off the company of one who seemed determined, whether spoken to or not, to remain alongside of him. Peveril tried the experiment of riding slow; but his | companion, determined not to drop him, slackened his pace, so as to keep close by him. Julian then spurred his horse to a full trot; and was soon satisfied, that the stranger, notwithstanding the meanness of his appearance, was so much better mounted than himself, as to render vain any thoughts of out-riding him. He pulled up his horse to a more reasonable pace, therefore, in a sort of despair. Upon his doing so, his companion, who had been hitherto silent, observed, that Peveril was not so well qualified to try speed upon the road, as he would have been had he abode by his first bargain of horse-flesh that morning. Peveril assented dryly, but observed, that the animal would serve his immediate purpose, though he feared it would render him indifferent company for a person better mounted. "By no means," answered his civil companion; "I am one of those who have travelled so much, as to be accustomed to make my journey at any rate of motion which may be most agreeable to my company." Peveril made no reply to this polite intimation, being too sincere to tender the thanks which, in courtesy, were the proper answer.-A second pause ensued, which was broken by Julian asking the stranger whether their roads were likely to lie long together in the same direction. "I cannot tell," said the stranger, smiling, "unless I knew which way you were travelling." "I am uncertain how far I shall go to-night," said Julian, willingly misunderstanding the purport of the reply. And so am I," replied the stranger; "but though my horse goes better than yours, I think it will be wise to spare him; and in case our road continues to lie the same way, we are likely to sup, as we have dined together." Julian made no answer whatever to this round intimation, but continued to ride on, turning, in his own mind, whether it would not be wisest to come to a distinct understanding with his pertinacious attendant, and to explain, in so many words, that it was his pleasure to travel alone. But, besides that the sort of acquaintance which they had formed during dinner, rendered him unwilling to be directly uncivil towards a person of gentlemanlike manners, he had also to consider that he might very possibly be mistaken in this man's character and purpose; in which case, the cynically refusing the society of a sound Protestant, would afford as pregnant matter of suspicion, as travelling in company with a disguised Jesuit. After brief reflection, therefore, he resolved to endure the encumbrance of the stranger's society, until a fair opportunity should occur to rid himself of it; and, in the mean time, to act with as much caution as he possibly could, in any communication that might take place between them; for Dame Whitecraft's parting caution still rang anxiously in his ears, and the consequences of his own arrest upon suspicion, must deprive him of every opportunity of serying his father, or the Countess, or Major Bridgenorth, upon whose interest, also, he had promised himself to keep an eye. While he revolved these things in his mind, they had journeyed several miles without speaking; and now entered upon a more waste country, and worse roads, than they had hitherto found, being, in fact, approaching the more hilly district of Derbyshire. In travelling on a very stony, and uneven lane, Julian's horse repeatedly stumbled; and, had he not been supported by the rider's judicious use of the bridle, must at length certainly have fallen under him. "These are times which crave wary riding, sir," said his companion; "and by your seat in the saddle, and your hand on the rein, you seem to understand it to be so." "I have been long a horseman, sir," answered Peveril. "And long a traveller, too, sir, I should suppose; since, by the great caution you observe, you seem to think the human tongue requires a curb, as well as the horse's jaws." "Wiser men than I have been of opinion," answered Peveril. "that it were a part of prudence to be silent, when men have little or nothing to say." "I cannot approve of their opinion," answered the stranger. "All knowledge is gained by communication, either with the dead, through books, or, more pleasingly, through the conversation of the living. The deaf and dumb, alone, are excluded from improvement; and surely their situation is not so enviable that we should imitate them." At this illustration, which wakened a startling echo in Peveril's bosom, the young man looked hard at his companion; but in the composed countenance, and calm blue eye, he read no consciousness of a farther meaning than the words immediately and directly implied. He paused a moment, and then answered, "You seem to be a person, sir, of shrewd apprehension; and I should have thought it might have occurred to you, that, in the present suspicious times, men may, without censure, avoid communication with strangers. You know not me; and to me you are totally unknown. There is not room for much discourse between us, without trespassing on the general topics of the day, which carry in them seeds of quarrel between friends, much more betwixt strangers. At any other time, the society of an intelligent companion would have been most acceptable upon my solitary ride; but at present" At present!" said the other, interrupting him. "You are like the old Romans, who held that hostis meant both a stranger and an enemy. I will therefore be no longer a stranger. My name is Ganlesseby profession I am a Roman Catholic priest-I am travelling here in dread of my life-and I am very glad to have you for a companion." "I thank you for the information with all my heart," said Peveril; "and to avail myself of it to the uttermost, I must beg of you to ride forward, or lag behind, or take a side-path, at your own pleasure; for as I am no Catholic, and travel upon business of high concernment, I am exposed both to risk and delay, and even to danger, by keeping such suspicious company. And so, Master Ganlesse, keep your own pace, and I will keep the contrary; for I beg leave to forbear your company." As Peveril spoke thus, he pulled up his horse, and made a full stop. The stranger burst out a-laughing. "What?" he said, "you forbear my company for a trifle of danger? Saint Anthony! How the warm blood of the Cavaliers is chilled in the young men of the present day! This young gallant, now, has a father, I warrant, who has endured as many adventures for hunted priests, as a knight-errant for distressed damsels." "This raillery avails nothing, sir," said Peveril. "I must request you will keep your own way." "My way is yours," said the pertinacious Master Ganlesse, as he called himself; "and we will both travel the safer, that we journey in company. I have the receipt of fern-seed, man, and walk invisible. Besides, you would not have me quit you in this lane, where there is no turn to right or left ?" Peveril moved on, desirous to avoid open violence; for which the indifferent tone of the traveller, indeed, afforded no apt pretext; yet highly disliking his company, and determined to take the first opportunity to rid himself of it. The stranger proceeded at the same pace with him, keeping cautiously on his bridle hand, as if to secure that advantage in case of a struggle. But his language did not intimate the least apprehension. "You do me wrong," he said to Peveril," and you equally wrong yourself. You are uncertain where to lodge to-night-trust to my guidance. Here is an ancient hall, within four miles, with an old knightly Pantaloon for its lord-an all-be-ruffed Dame Barbara fo the lady gay-a Jesuit in a butler's habit, to say grace -an old tale of Edgehill and Worster fights to relish a cold venison st, and a flask of claret mantleo with cobwebs-a bed for you in the priest's hidinghole and, for aught I know, pretty Mistress Betty, the dairymaid, to make it ready." "This has no charms for me, sir," said Peveril, who, in spite of himself, could not but be amused with |