stantly discharged. Thornton and Dawson underwent a long and rigorous
examination; but no single tittle of evidence against them appeared:
they were consequently dismissed. The only suspicious circumstance
against them, was their delay on the road; but the cause given, the same
as Thornton had at first assigned to me, was probable and natural. The
shed was indicated, and, as if to confirm Thornton's account, a glove
belonging to that person was found there. To crown all, my own evidence,
in which I was constrained to mention the circumstance of the muffled
horseman having passed me on the road, and being found by me on the spot
itself, threw the whole weight of suspicion upon that man, whoever he
might be.

All attempts, however, to discover him were in vain. It was ascertained
that a man, muffled in a cloak, was seen at Newmarket, but not
remarkably observed; it was also discovered, that a person so habited
had put up a grey horse to bait in one of the inns at Newmarket; but in
the throng of strangers, neither the horse nor its owner had drawn down
any particular remark.

On further inquiry, testimony differed; four or five men, in cloaks, had
left their horses at the stables; one ostler changed the colour of the
steed to brown, a second to black, a third deposed that the gentleman
was remarkably tall, and the waite swore solemnly he had given a glass
of brandy and water to an unked looking gentleman, in a cloak, who was
remarkably short. In fine, no material point could be proved, and though
the officers were still employed in active search, they could trace
nothing that promised a speedy discovery.

As for myself, as soon as I decently could, I left Chester Park, with
a most satisfactory dispatch in my pocket, from its possessor to Lord
Dawton, and found myself once more on the road to London!

Alas! how different were my thoughts! How changed the temper of my mind,
since I had last travelled that road. Then I was full of hope, energy,
ambition--of interest for Reginald Glanville--of adoration for his
sister; and now, I leaned back listless and dispirited, without a single
feeling to gladden the restless and feverish despair which, ever since
that night, had possessed me. What was ambition henceforth to me?
The most selfish amongst us must have some human being to whom to
refer--with whom to connect--to associate--to treasure the triumphs and
gratifications of self. Where now was such a being to me? My earliest
f