further
attempts at conversation by leaning back in the carriage, and closing
his eyes. The truth is, Mr. Bowmore's own language and conduct were
insensibly producing the salutary impression on Percy's mind which
Bervie had vainly tried to convey, under the disadvantage of having
Charlotte's influence against him. Throughout the journey, Percy did
exactly what Bervie had once entreated him to do--he kept Mr. Bowmore at
a distance.

At every stage, they inquired after the fugitives. At every stage, they
were answered by a more or less intelligible description of Bervie and
Charlotte, and of the lady who accompanied them. No disguise had been
attempted; no person had in any case been bribed to conceal the truth.

When the first tumult of his emotions had in some degree subsided, this
strange circumstance associated itself in Percy's mind with the equally
unaccountable conduct of Justice Bervie, on his arrival at the manor
house.

The old gentleman met his visitor in the hall, without expressing, and
apparently without feeling, any indignation at his son's conduct. It was
even useless to appeal to him for information. He only said, "I am
not in Arthur's confidence; he is of age, and my daughter (who has
volunteered to accompany him) is of age. I have no claim to control
them. I believe they have taken Miss Bowmore to Paris; and that is all I
know about it."

He had shown the same dense insensibility in giving his official voucher
for the passports. Percy had only to satisfy him on the question of
politics; and the document was drawn out as a matter of course. Such had
been the father's behavior; and the conduct of the son now exhibited the
same shameless composure. To what conclusion did this discovery point?
Percy abandoned the attempt to answer that question in despair.

They reached Dover toward two o'clock in the morning.

At the pier-head they found a coast-guardsman on duty, and received more
information.

In 1817 the communication with France was still by sailing-vessels.
Arriving long after the departure of the regular packet, Bervie had
hired a lugger, and had sailed with the two ladies for Calais, having a
fresh breeze in his favor. Percy's first angry impulse was to follow him
instantly. The next moment he remembered the insurmountable obstacle of
the passports. The Consul would certainly not grant those essentially
necessary documents at two in the morning!

The only alternative was to wait for the re