cause which called him away; and during his absence, Charles, who remained with Mr. Travers, suggested that it might be better not to let Miss Travers know the steps which were taken in her behalf, for fear of any disappointment.

66

ap

Hope

"She has not the least idea of this plication," replied Mr. Travers. is always too fallacious."

The carriage was soon brought to the door, and Charles proposed to accompany his cousin; while Mr. Travers returned to the gloomy abode in which he had left his child but just as Charles was getting into the vehicle, the old man gave him another paper, which in his first agitation he had forgot.

A few minutes brought lord Burton and his cousin to their destination; but here they were told that the minister was engaged.

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Well, then I will write a note," replied Frederic, " and wait for an answer; my business cannot be delayed."

They

They were now shewn into a library, where lord Burton wrote a short note to lord, enclosing the papers; and in a few minutes after the servant had taken in the packet, they were joined by the minister himself.

"My lord," said he, on entering, " I have been already applied to on this subject, and am sorry I must repeat that I cannot interfere."

“Then, sir, I must appeal to his majesty," "answered Frederic decidedly; "for, if I understand rightly, the young lady's innocence is completely proved by the papers you hold in your hand."

"You will do as you please, my lord," replied the minister; " and so far am I satisfied, that I will not oppose your application; and indeed were all the circumstances accounted for by these papers, I would go with you to his majesty myself, although the hour is so unseasonable; but here is one suspicious circumstance I cannot get over."

The

The paper which Mr. Travers had given him as he got into the carriage now occurred to Charles's mind, and he presented it to lord, who looked it over with his own peculiar quickness." That will do," cried he; "that will do. This is satisfactory. Family pride indeed! Yes, it has nearly got them into a pretty scrape. Come, my lord-is your carriage here? I will go with you to the palace directly." Lord Burton much wished, in going, to speak to the minister on the subject of the application he was about to make; but that nobleman happening to remember Mr. Melville, with whose father he was intimate, continued to speak of nothing but sir Charles and his connexions till their arrival at the palace, and hère the two peers were immediately admitted to the royal presence, while Charles waited their return in the carriage.

Lord Burton had not calculated wrongly on the benevolence of his monarch's heart, and the young nobleman scarcely obtained

the

the pardon with more pleasure than the king granted it.

In common politeness Frederic was obliged to convey the minister back to his own house; but no sooner was that done, than he ordered the carriage to drive on to the prison, to communicate his joyful tidings to its sad inhabitant, the more joyful as her innocence was so completely established.

The gates opened at the order they had received from the minister, and with rapid steps they followed the gaoler along the gloomy passages of that abode of misery and guilt, towards the place were suffering innocence was unjustly immured.

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They are at prayers, my lord," said the gaoler, as they arrived at the door of the cell.

Make little noise then," replied Frederic, "for I would not disturb them suddenly."

"Oh sir," said the man, who was aware of the object of their visit, "good tidings

are

are always welcome; but I'll not make a noise."

The door opened slowly and silently, and presented to the view of lord Burton and his companion, the prisoner and her family, kneeling round a venerable clergyman, down whose aged cheek the tears of pity wandered, as he held his trembling hands over them in the act of benediction.

The prisoner, who was immediately opposite, slowly raised her eyes and person as the door of the cell opened.

God of Heaven!" exclaimed Frederic, rushing forward, and clasping her to his bosom, "Louisa! my own Louisa!"

"She is saved! she is saved!" cried her father, throwing himself at lord Burton's feet, and clasping his knees in rapture. "I see it in his face. She is saved!"

Her brother grasped his hand in hisher little sister stretched her arms towards their deliverer-Louisa sobbed on his bosom-and the old clergyman, raising his

hands