stairs, and entered an anteroom,
where, having waited for a few seconds, the major whispered an order to
the porter, and passed on to the inner room, leaving me behind.

As Major Barton passed out by one door, the porter turned the key in the
other, and placing it in his pocket, drew his chair to the window and
resumed the newspaper he was reading when we entered. How long I waited
I cannot say. My thoughts, though sad ones, chased each other rapidly,
and I felt not the time as it passed. Suddenly the door opened, and I
heard my name called. I drew a deep breath, like one who felt his fate
was in the balance, and entered.

The room, which was plainly furnished, seemed to serve as an office. The
green covered table that stood in the middle was littered with letters
and papers, among which a large, heavy-browed, dark-featured man was
searching busily as I came in. Behind, and partly beside him, stood
Barton, in an attitude of respectful attention; while, with his back to
the fire, was a third person, whose age might have been from thirty-five
to forty. His dress was in the perfection of the mode: his topboots
reaching to the middle of his leg; his coat, of the lightest shade of
sky-blue, was lined with white silk; and two watch chains hung down
beneath his buff waistcoat, in the acme of the then fashion. His
features were frank and handsome, and saving a dash of puppyism that
gave a character of weakness to the expression, I should deem him a
manly, fine-looking fellow.

"So this is your 'Robespierre,' Major, is it?" cried he, bursting into a
laugh, as I appeared.

Barton approached nearer to him, and muttered something in a low,
mumbling tone, to which the other seemed to pay little if any attention.

"You are here, sir," said the dark-featured man at the table, holding in
his hand a paper as he spoke, "you are here under a warrant of the Privy
Council, charging you with holding intercourse with that rebellious
and ill-fated faction who seek to disturb the peace and welfare of this
country,--disseminating dangerous and wicked doctrines, and being in
alliance with France--with France--What 'a that word, Barton?--to--"

"In two words, young gentleman," said the young man at the fire,
"you are charged with keeping very bad company, learning exceedingly
unprofitable notions, and incurring very considerable present risk. Now
I am not disposed to think that at your age, and with your respectable
connections, either the c