340 A JACOBITE EXILE

me, and I am sure my little sweetheart Ciceley has been like
asister. This must have been a most terrible trial to them.
It was a bad day for cousin Celia when she married that
scoundre], and I am sure that he has made her life a most
unhappy one. Still, for their sake, I would not see his
villainy punished as it deserves, nor indeed for our own,
since the man is to a certain extent our kinsman. 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.”

“Ves, I remember now your telling me about it, Charlie.
Well, what is to be done? for I agree with you that if pos-
sible 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