ndered from the
visitor to an open letter in his hand. Charlotte, observing him, pointed
to the letter.

"Have you any bad news there, papa?" she asked.

"Dreadful news!" Mr. Bowmore answered. "Dreadful news, my child, to
every Englishman who respects the liberties which his ancestors won. My
correspondent is a man who is in the confidence of the Ministers," he
continued, addressing Percy. "What do you think is the remedy that the
Government proposes for the universal distress among the population,
caused by an infamous and needless war? Despotism, Mr. Linwood;
despotism in this free country is the remedy! In one week more, sir,
Ministers will bring in a Bill for suspending the Habeas Corpus Act!"

Before Percy could do justice in words to the impression produced on
him, Charlotte innocently asked a question which shocked her father.

"What is the Habeas Corpus Act, papa"'

"Good God!" cried Mr. Bowmore, "is it possible that a child of mine has
grown up to womanhood, in ignorance of the palladium of English liberty?
Oh, Charlotte! Charlotte!"

"I am very sorry, papa. If you will only tell me, I will never forget
it."

Mr. Bowmore reverently uncovered his head, saluting an invisible Habeas
Corpus Act. He took his daughter by the hand, with a certain parental
sternness: his voice trembled with emotion as he spoke his next words:

"The Habeas Corpus Act, my child, forbids the imprisonment of an English
subject, unless that imprisonment can be first justified by law. Not
even the will of the reigning monarch can prevent us from appearing
before the judges of the land, and summoning them to declare whether our
committal to prison is legally just."

He put on his hat again. "Never forget what I have told you, Charlotte!"
he said solemnly. "I would not remove my hat, sir," he continuing,
turning to Percy, "in the presence of the proudest autocrat that ever
sat on a throne. I uncover, in homage to the grand law which asserts the
sacredness of human liberty. When Parliament has sanctioned the infamous
Bill now before it, English patriots may be imprisoned, may even be
hanged, on warrants privately obtained by the paid spies and informers
of the men who rule us. Perhaps I weary you, sir. You are a young man;
the conduct of the Ministry may not interest you."

"On the contrary," said Percy, "I have the strongest personal interest
in the conduct of the Ministry."

"How? in what way?" cried Mr. Bowmore eagerly.

"My l