th the intelligence, and I stood without making any
reply. The priest waved his hand to them as a hint to leave the room,
which they both did. As they left, my eyes followed them, and then I
cast them down upon the Bible which lay before me on the table, and,
slipping down from the bench upon my knees, I covered up my face and
prayed. My prayers were confused--I hardly knew what I said--but I knew
that they were intended to be grateful to Heaven for my unexpected
preservation from an ignominious death. After a time, I rose up, and
perceived the priest, whose presence I had till then forgotten. He had
been kneeling at the other side of the table praying with me, and I am
sure for me--and he was rising up just after I had.

"I trust, Captain Elrington," said he, after a pause, "that the peril
you have been in will influence your future life; and that this severe
trial will not be thrown away upon you."

"I trust not, Sir," replied I. "I feel that it has been good for me to
have been afflicted, I believe that I have been indebted to your
exertions for my deliverance."

"No further than having seen your letter duly and speedily delivered. I
could do no more, for with all will I have no power; and that was little
to do for one who so generously assisted our friends in their distress."

"Am I then to believe that I am indebted to the interest of a French
lady, residing at the court of Versailles, for my deliverance?"

"Even so--this may appear strange to you, Captain Elrington, but such is
the case. Understand, that in these troubled times the ruling monarch
of this country cannot distinguish his friends from his enemies. He can
only trust to professions, and they are not always sincere. There are
many in the council at this time who, if the Pretender, as he is called,
had succeeded, would long before this have joined him, and who had
wished him success, although they dared not venture to assist him. The
interest of the lady in question with these people has prevailed over
the true adherents of the Hanoverian king, and thus through this lady
have you obtained your release. I state this to you in confidence; to
publish what I have told you would be to betray your friends. Can I be
of any further service to you? For you can leave your prison as soon as
you please."

"None, I thank you, good Sir," replied I; "I have money more than
sufficient to reward my gaoler, and to defray my expenses to Liverpool."

"Yo