294. A JACOBITE EXILE

chance of bringing it toa favourable issue. Now that Anne
is on the throne, she and her advisers will look leniently
upon the men whose only fault was devotion to her father;
and if we can once get this foul charge of assassination
lifted from our shoulders, I and Jervoise and the others
who had to fly at the same time, may all be permitted to
return, and obtain a reversal of the decree of the Act of
Confiscation of our estates.

“I have no friends at court, but I know that Jervoise was
a close acquaintance years ago of John Churchill, who is
now Duke of Marlborough, and they say high in favour with
Anne. I did not think of it when I wrote to you, but a
week later it came to my mind that his intervention might
be very useful, and I took advantage of an officer leaving
here for the army to send by hima letter to Jervoise, telling
him that there was now some hope of getting at the traitor
who served as John Dormay’s instrument in his plot
against us. I said that I had sent for you, and thought it
probable you would take the matter in hand; and I prayed
him to send me a letter of introduction for you to the
duke, so that if you could by any means obtain the proof
of our innocence of this pretended plot, he might help you
to obtain a reversal of the Act of Confiscation against us
all, Ihave asked him to write at once, and I will send the
letter after you as soon as I get it. I know nothing of
London, but I have heard of the Bull’s Head, in Fenchurch
Street, as being one frequented by travellers from the coun-
try. You had best put up there, and thither I will forward
the note from Jervoise.”

“The letter will be a useful one indeed, father, when I
have once wrung the truth from that villain Nicholson. It
will be an expedition after my own heart. ‘here is first
the chance of punishing the villain, and then the hope of
restoring you to your place at dear old Jynnwood.”

“You must be careful, Charlie. Remember it would