llowed. I only could
catch a stray expression here and there; but I collected enough to learn
that he had written a full exculpation of all the others who had been
accused with himself, and specially with regard to me, of whom, also,
it was said, he forwarded some important papers to some one high in
station.

This conversation occurred on a Saturday, and on the following Monday I
was liberated.

"I told you how it would be, Mr. Carew," said Holt, as he read me out
the order, "and I hope sincerely there are now better and pleasanter
days before you. More prosperous ones they are likely to be, for I have
a Secretary of State's order to hand you one hundred pounds, which, I
can assure you, is a rare event with those who leave this."

While I stood amazed at this intelligence, he went on:

"You are also requested to present yourself at Treverton House,
Richmond, to-morrow, at eleven o'clock, where a person desires to see
and speak with you. This comes somewhat in the shape of a command, and I
hope you'll not neglect it."

I promised rigid obedience to the direction; and after a very grateful
recognition of all I owed my kind host, we parted, warm and cordial
friends, and as such I have never ceased to believe and regard him.

CHAPTER XXXIII. A GLIMPSE OF A NEW PATH

Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with
means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England
forever? So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself
anything but a kind mother to me. It was an impulse of patriotism--a
vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my
requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment. Had I
the very slightest clew to where "my mother" and Raper were, I should
inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing
whatever. I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found
the yet undelivered note to the Pere Tonsurd; and this I determined to
present on that very day. The mere thought of meeting with one to whom I
could speak of my kind friends at Linange was a comfort in the midst of
all my desolation.

On arriving at his lodgings, however, I learned that he had gone to
Richmond; and as suddenly I bethought me of my own visit, the hour for
which had already gone by. Determining to repair my fault as well as I
could, I set out at once, and by three o'clock in the afternoon arrived
at a neat-looking hou