arms, sobbing loudly-"We may well laugh now, for even on the stormy sea we were not nearer ruin than amongst these men-hunters."

་

"But, my good friend," said the Duchess, drying up her tears, and looking at him with smiles, “what makes you so certain that our friends have got the upper hand?"

"

"I only know thus much; the Captain is already coming up the stairs, and we are all as safe under his protection as if we were on the other side the water."

The door did, indeed, open; and there entered, with a light in his hand, the brave soldier who had stopt at Ralph's house on his march to Newmarket, and had then so plainly manifested the integrity of his sentiments. After having cast a quick glance at the different persons in the room, he said, and not without a

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()

slight touch of awkwardness, arising perh perhaps from the noble mien and bearing of the Duchess; "It grieves me to see your Grace in such alarm,

*

but the devils in the street below cared neither

for rank nor person, and it is lucky for you that they did not execute their plans; for, to speak plainly, their aim was particularly against those who seemed to them to be dangerous from their influence over others. Therefore,

"Therefore," interrupted Partridge, cher Grace wishes for nothing so much as to be under your protection, being convinced that you would just as little expose her as this innocent child here to the abuse of these furious miscreants."

"The devil! is it you, mine host ?" exclaimed the Captain, recognising Partridge, and without regard to the presence of the Duchess; "what, have you cut matters short at home and left your scolding wife? Well, I wish you joy with all my heart. But to come back to the business in hand. As to my protection, it does not reach far, and cannot extend beyond the next few hours."

"Oh, Heavens! what then will become of us? The night quickly passes and, even if its darkness should protect us, the dawn of day so

much the more surely delivers the fugitives into

their enemy's hands."

"Why, I think," said the Captain," we may keep the road and the harbour clear till the next evening, for just so long it will be before the militia arrives to strengthen the garrison, the half of which flocked to the assistance of the distressed Protestants. I myself, I am not ashamed to say it, came over to the side of the exiles against whom the elements were hardly so cruel as their persecutors. I repeat therefore what I set out with,-nothing remains for her Grace but to persuade the Captain to put to sea directly; and, believe me, the bottomless ocean offers you more safety just now than the strongest castle in all England."

The well-intended counsel of the Captain at first alarmed the Duchess, who could not so soon reconcile to herself the idea of a sea-voyage, but she subdued her feelings so far as to show a readiness to concur in any measures which circumstances might call for; she only asked as to

the means which must be employed to hasten the sailing of the ship then at anchor here as it was more than probable that the Captain would wish to allow his crew some time to recruit themselves.

Nothing more

66 easy," said the soldier ; nothing in the world more easy; you have only to

represent to the Captain, that if he delays longer he will infallibly be made to answer for having assisted the exiles to fly their country, an accusation against which his Belgian flag will as little protect him, as it will against the violence of the riotous fanatics."

The Duchess looked around in doubt for a

messenger who would venture to bear her comsim ade 291769H

mission to the vessel.

"I guess your thoughts," said the soldier; and if you can make up your mind to follow Off noy bling t90STEW me directly, I will undertake, supported by your

authority, to settle the "Now is the

affair.

best

time. There is yet darkness to hide our steps,

C

2

the frightened priests are yet staggered, and the

1

people waver here and there irresolutely. The way is open; quick, therefore, and my word for it, I bring you on boar board the packet undis

The Duchess took courage and subdued her inward struggles. With the tears lingering in her eyes, and compelling her trembling lips to speak, she said, as she gave her hand to the Captain, "I see it well; there is no rest for me in England."

She hurried forward, when Sarah, with the child in her arms, threw herself at her feet, and clinging to them, besought her with loud lamentation not to expose her life a second time to the fury of the sea.

"Hear me," she cried; "hear me for your own sake, for the sake of your poor Sarah.— Whither would

ther would you go? In such an hour, to venture yourself with strange men in the r riotous streets? Do you know where they would lead you? or whether they, they themselves, are not your worst enemies?"

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