Mr. Robert Balfour spoke a few respectful words to the warder, and the requisite materials were soon laid upon the table.  Richard dipped his pen in the ink, and waited for directions.  “It’s only a few words,” muttered Mr. Balfour, apologetically, “to my old mother.  Perhaps you have a mother yourself, young gentleman?”

“I have.”  He had written to her guardedly the previous day, before he left Plymouth, to tell her the same sad news which he was now, as he supposed, about to repeat for another, and to urge her to repair to Cross Key at once.

Mr. Balfour beat softly on the table with his forefinger for a moment, and then, as though he had found the key-note of the desired composition, dictated as follows: 

“MY DEAR MOTHER,—­When this comes to hand, I shall have took your advice, and started for the New World.  There’s a ship a-sailing from Plymouth in a day or two, and my passage in her is booked.  I didn’t like to come back to town again, for fear I should change my mind, and turn to the old trade.  The post is queer and doubtful, they tell me, in these far-away parts; but you shall hear from me whenever I have an opportunity.  All as is mine is yours, remember; so, use it.  I have no need of money myself, for there’s a place being kept for me, out yonder, in the carpentering line.  Hoping this finds you well, as it leaves me, I am your dutiful son, ROBERT BALFOUR.”

“Then you don’t tell her any thing about what’s happened to you?” said Richard, wonderingly.

“Why should I?  The poor soul’s over seventy, and will never see me again.  It’s much better that she should have a pretty picture to look at than such a reality as this; ain’t it?”

“Well, I suppose it is.”

This delicate feeling on the part of Mr. Balfour jarred upon Richard. He had taken no pains to break the news of his imprisonment to his mother; on the contrary, he had painted the wretchedness of his position, with a view to set forth the urgent necessity for help, in its most sombre colors.  Of course there was a great difference in the two cases, an immense difference; but still he resented this exhibition of natural piety, as contrasting unpleasantly with his own conduct.

The other, however, had no suspicion of this.  His thoughts, just then, were far away; and the subject of them gave an unwonted softness to his tone as he observed:  “I thank you for this, kindly, young gentleman.  Here’s the address—­Earl Street, Spitalfields.  It’s her own house; and she will have enough, and to spare, while she lives, thank the Lord!  Well, that’s done with; and if Bob Balfour can do you a good turn for it, he will.  Hello, you’re wanted.”

“Richard Yorke!” repeated the warder, loudly.  “Can’t you hear?”

Richard had heard well enough; but the idea that it was his mother who had come to see him had for the moment unmanned him; he well knew how proud she had been of him; and how was he to meet her now, disgraced, disheartened, in prison, a reputed thief!  But the next instant he reflected that her arrival could not be possibly looked for for some days; perhaps it was Trevethick, who had, in the mean time, learned all, and was come to announce his willingness to withdraw from the prosecution; perhaps Harry herself was with him; perhaps—­