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CHAPTER XII.

Pour la revoir je francherai
Cette barriere unpenetrable-
De ton repaire, affreux vautour,
J'crai l'arracher morte ou vive.

TARARE.

The Reward.

THERE was yet one painful task which Frederic had to fulfil that of communicating to Mary the accident which had befallen her cousin Jane, to whom she had been always so fondly attached. He scarcely knew how to do it, and after dinner, he called Charles into his library, in order to speak to him on the subject. He had not time, however, to enter upon it, when a servant announced "Mr. Travers," and introduced a man above the

middle

middle age, whose appearance at once denoted him of a superior station in life.

Lord Burton immediately rose, and taking him by the hand, welcomed him warmly." Mr. Travers,” said he, "though this is the first time we have met, yet, be assured, I have made many efforts to find you."

"I know you have, my lord," replied the old man, while a sudden drop rose in his eye. "I have been informed of your kindness, and it is that which induces me to intrude upon you now. Pride is out of the question, and delicacy, in the present instance, would be useless, or worse. I have come, my lord, to ask your assistance."

"Command it," replied lord Burton. "Let me hear how I can serve you."

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My lord,” replied he, "my daughter, that very daughter who lived from her childhood with her uncle, doctor Wilson, on the estate of your father, is now in prison, on the charge of passing a forged note

for

for a large amount. More-though as innocent as an infant, they have condemned her; and there is no time to be lost; for, oh Heaven! it-is ordered for to-morrow ;" and the bitter tear of agony rolled over the father's cheek.

"Good God!" exclaimed Frederic, deeply shocked; "how has all this happened? and how, Mr. Travers, how is she to be saved ?"

"It happened thus, my lord," replied the old man ; "but I must be brief-I had once large estates, an amiable wife, a beautiful family, and I was mad enough to fancy myself happy. My wife diedtwo of my children followed to an early tomb. My title to my property was disputed, and declared void, and ruin fast approached to my door. I had still four children left, and I was too proud to despair. My eldest son was in the navy; and my daughter, on the death of her good uncle, consented to take an inferior situation in life; that she might not be a

burthen

burthen to her beggared father. It were wasting the few moments which yet remain to save her, to detail how concurring circumstances made her appear guilty of the crime with which she was charged. Suffice it to say, that my boy, after having risen to the rank of lieutenant, and distinguished himself in the cause of his country, returned a few days ago to find his father ruined, and his sister a condemned prisoner in a dungeon of Newgate. You, my lord, knew her uncle; you know the principles in which she was educated, and you cannot doubt that she is guiltless."

"But tell me," exclaimed Frederic, "have you any proofs of her innocence ? for if so, I will go instantly to the minister for the home department, and if I fail there, I will throw myself at the feet of the king himself. I know my sovereign's heart; I know how feeling, how benevolent it is, and if I can give him any plea for mercy, he will not fail to shew it. But

I must

I must have something to go upon. Can you furnish me with such ?"

"I can, I can," replied Mr. Travers, " I can give you the most irrefragable proofs of her complete innocence. These papers,” continued he, giving lord Burton a packet, "are the attestation of the lady and gentleman who gave her the notes, and who, from the circumstances stated here, could not give their personal evidence, nor forward the particulars before. They are sworn before a magistrate. But, my lord, there is no time to be lost."

"I will go about it instantly," replied lord Burton." Charles," continued he, to Mr. Melville, who had quitted the room for a moment, and now returned, "will you order the carriage to come up instantly ?"

"I have done so,” replied Charles, with a smile. "I knew you would want it."

In the time intervening before the arrival of the carriage, lord Burton withdrew to inform lady Anne and Mary of the

cause

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