ate father had a claim on government," Percy answered, "for money
expended in foreign service. As his heir, I inherit the claim, which
has been formally recognized by the present Ministers. My petition for
a settlement will be presented by friends of mine who can advocate my
interests in the House of Commons."

Mr. Bowmore took Percy's hand, and shook it warmly.

"In such a matter as this you cannot have too many friends to help you,"
he said. "I myself have some influence, as representing opinion outside
the House; and I am entirely at your service. Come tomorrow, and let us
talk over the details of your claim at my humble dinner-table. To-day
I must attend a meeting of the Branch-Hampden-Club, of which I am
vice-president, and to which I am now about to communicate the alarming
news which my letter contains. Excuse me for leaving you--and count on a
hearty welcome when we see you to-morrow."

The amiable patriot saluted his daughter with a smile, and disappeared.

"I hope you like my father?" said Charlotte. "All our friends say
he ought to be in Parliament. He has tried twice. The expenses were
dreadful; and each time the other man defeated him. The agent says he
would be certainly elected, if he tried again; but there is no money,
and we mustn't think of it."

A man of a suspicious turn of mind might have discovered, in those
artless words, the secret of Mr. Bowmore's interest in the success of
his young friend's claim on the Government. One British subject, with a
sum of ready money at his command, may be an inestimably useful
person to another British subject (without ready money) who cannot sit
comfortably unless he sits in Parliament. But honest Percy Linwood was
not a man of a suspicious turn of mind. He had just opened his lips
to echo Charlotte's filial glorification of her father, when a
shabbily-dressed man-servant met them with a message, for which they
were both alike unprepared:

"Captain Bervie has called, Miss, to say good-by, and my mistress
requests your company in the parlor."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE WARNING.

HAVING delivered his little formula of words, the shabby servant cast a
look of furtive curiosity at Percy and withdrew. Charlotte turned to her
lover, with indignation sparkling in her eyes and flushing on her cheeks
at the bare idea of seeing Captain Bervie again. "Does he think I will
breathe the same air," she exclaimed, "with the man who attempted to
take your life!"

Percy gen