“Besides, Harry, as you must remember well enough, Ciceley and I, in boy and girl fashion, used to say we should be some day husband and wife, and I have never since seen anyone whom I would so soon marry as my bonny little cousin; and if Ciceley is of the same mind, maybe some day or other she may come to Lynnwood as its mistress; but that could hardly be, if her father were hung for attempting to swear away the life of mine.”

“No, indeed, Charlie.  I know how fond you were of your cousin.”

“Indeed, Harry, there was a talk between my father and cousin Celia, a few months before the troubles came, of a formal betrothal between us, and, had it not been for the coolness between our fathers, it would have taken place.”

“Yes, I remember now your telling me about it, Charlie.

“Well, what is to be done? for I agree with you that, if possible, John Dormay must escape from the punishment he deserves.  But how is it to be done?”

“Well, Harry, a week or two will make no difference to our fathers.  They will have no expectation of hearing from us, for a long time to come.  I should say it were best that I should go down and warn him, and I shall be glad if you will go with me.”

“Of course I will go,” Harry said.  “Indeed, it were best that the warning came from me.  The man is a villain, and a reckless one; and in his passion, when he hears that his rascality is known, the prize for which he schemed snatched from him, and his very life in danger, might even seek to vent his rage and spite upon you.  Now it is clear, Charlie, that you could not very well kill a man, and afterwards marry his daughter.  The thing would be scarce seemly.  But the fellow is no kinsman of mine.  He has grievously injured us, and I could kill him without the smallest compunction, and thereby rid the world of a scoundrel, and you of a prospective father-in-law of the most objectionable kind.”

Charlie laughed.

“No, Harry; we will have no killing.  We will go down and see him together.  We will let him know that the orders are probably already on the road for his arrest, and that he had best lose not an hour, but at once cross the water.  I should not think that he would wish to encumber himself with women, for I never thought he showed the least affection to either his wife or daughter.  At any rate, we will see that he does not take them with him.  I will tell him that, if he goes, and goes alone, I will do my best to hush up the matter; and that, so long as he remains abroad, the tale of his villainy shall never be told; but that, if he returns, the confession of Nicholson shall be published throughout the country, even if no prosecution is brought against him.”

When they called upon the duke, he shook them warmly by the hand.

“This parchment is the royal assent to the decision of the council, that the estates of those inculpated in the alleged plot for the assassination of the late king should be forthwith restored to them, it having been clearly proved that they have been falsely accused of the said crime, and that her majesty is satisfied that these gentlemen are her true and loyal subjects.