s, and he receives his brother justices
to-day, to celebrate the opening of the sessions."

He stopped and looked at Percy with some embarrassment. "I am afraid I
have surprised and disappointed you," he resumed, abruptly changing the
subject. "I told you when we met just now at Mr. Bowmore's cottage that
I had something to say to you; and I have not yet said it. The truth is,
I don't feel sure whether I have been long enough your friend to take
the liberty of advising you."

"Whatever your advice is," Percy answered, "trust me to take it kindly
on my side."

Thus encouraged, the Captain spoke out.

"You will probably pass much of your time at the cottage," he began,
"and you will be thrown a great deal into Mr. Bowmore's society. I have
known him for many years. Speaking from that knowledge, I most seriously
warn you against him as a thoroughly unprincipled and thoroughly
dangerous man."

This was strong language--and, naturally enough, Percy said so. The
Captain justified his language.

"Without alluding to Mr. Bowmore's politics," he went on, "I can tell
you that the motive of everything he says and does is vanity. To the
gratification of that one passion he would sacrifice you or me, his wife
or his daughter, without hesitation and without remorse. His one desire
is to get into Parliament. You are wealthy, and you can help him. He
will leave no effort untried to reach that end; and, if he gets you into
political difficulties, he will desert you without scruple."

Percy made a last effort to take Mr. Bowmore's part--for the one
irresistible reason that he was Charlotte's father.

"Pray don't think I am unworthy of your kind interest in my welfare,"
he pleaded. "Can you tell me of any _facts_ which justify what you have
just said?"

"I can tell you of three facts," Bervie said. "Mr. Bowmore belongs to
one of the most revolutionary clubs in England; he has spoken in the
ranks of sedition at public meetings; and his name is already in the
black book at the Home Office. So much for the past. As to the future,
if the rumor be true that Ministers mean to stop the insurrectionary
risings among the population by suspending the Habeas Corpus Act, Mr.
Bowmore will certainly be in danger; and it may be my father's duty to
grant the warrant that apprehends him. Write to my father to verify what
I have said, and I will forward your letter by way of satisfying him
that he can trust you. In the meantime, refuse to accept