d on her to her chair, and saw her in it, before I attended Lady
Betty and my wife to theirs.

I saw that neither the chair, nor the chairmen were those who brought
her. I asked the meaning and was told that the chairmen we had engaged
had been inveigled away to drink somewhere. She hurried into it because
of her dress, and being warm; no less than four gentlemen followed her
to the very chair.

I ordered Wilson, my, cousin's servant, to bid the chairmen stop, when
they had got out of the crowd till Lady Betty's chair and mine, and my
wife's joined them.

I saw her chair move, and Wilson, with his lighted flambeaux, before it,
and the four masks who followed her to the chair return into the house.

When our servants could not find that her chair had stopped, we supposed
that, in the hurry, the fellow heard not my orders; and directed our
chairmen to proceed, not doubting but that we should find her got home
before us.

But what was our consternation at finding her not arrived, and that Lady
Betty (to whose house we thought she might have been carried) had not
either seen or heard of her!

I had half a suspicion of Sir Hargrave, as well from the character given
us of him by a friend, as because of his impolite behaviour to the dear
creature on her rejecting him; and sent to his house in Cavendish Square
to know if he were at home: and if he were, at what time he returned
from the ball.

Answer was brought that he was in bed, and they supposed would not be
stirring till dinner-time; and that he returned from the ball between
four and five this morning.

* * * * *

O, my dear Mr. Selby! We _have_ tidings! The dear creature is living and
in honourable hands. Read the enclosed letter, directed to me.

"Sir,--Miss Byron is in safe hands. She has been cruelly treated, and
was many hours speechless. But don't frighten yourselves; her fits,
though not less frequent, are weaker and weaker. The bearer will
acquaint you who my brother is; to whom you owe the preservation and
safety of the loveliest woman in England, and he will direct you to a
house where you will be welcome, with your lady (for Miss Byron cannot
be removed) to convince yourself that all possible care is taken of her
by _your humble servant_,

"CHARLOTTE GRANDISON."

What we learnt from the honest man who brought the letter is, briefly,
as follows:

His master is Sir Cha