price, and I have since rejoiced at my want of
success."

"Who is that elderly gentleman with such snow-white hair?" I inquired.

"That," replied my companion, "nobody exactly knows, but I have my
idea. I think," said he, lowering his voice to a whisper, "that he is
a Catholic priest, or a Jesuit, perhaps, and a partisan of the house
of Stuart. I have my reasons for supposing so, and this I am sure of,
which is, that he is closely watched by the emissaries of government."

You may remember, Madam, how at that time the country was disturbed by
the landing of the Pretender in the summer of the year before, and the
great successes which he had met with, and that the Duke of Cumberland
had returned from the army in the Low Countries, and had marched to
Scotland.

"Has there been any intelligence from Scotland relative to the
movements of the armies?" I inquired.

"We have heard that the Pretender had abandoned the siege of Fort
William, but nothing more; and how far the report is true, it is hard
to say. You military men must naturally have a war one way or the
other," said my companion, in a careless manner.

"As to the fighting part of the question," I replied, "I should feel
it a matter of great indifference which side I fought for, as the
claim of both parties is a matter of mere opinion."

"Indeed," he said; "and what may be your opinion?"

"I have none. I think the claims of both parties equal. The house of
Stuart lost the throne of England on account of its religion--that of
Hanover has been called to the throne for the same cause. The
adherents of both are numerous at the present moment; and it does not
follow because the house of Hanover has the strongest party, that the
house of Stuart should not uphold its cause while there is a chance of
success."

"That is true; but if you were to be obliged to take one side or the
other, which would it be by preference?"

"Certainly I would support the Protestant religion in preference to
the Catholic. I am a Protestant, and that is reason enough."

"I agree with you," replied my companion. "Is your brave friend of the
same opinion?"

"I really never put the question to him, but I think I may safely
answer that he is."

It was fortunate, Madam, that I replied as I did, for I afterwards
discovered that this precious gossiping young man, with his rings and
ribbons, was no other than a government spy, on the look-out for
malcontents. Certainly his disguise was g