and offered himself as her guard and conductor; but was told that she was
already safely lodged in the house of a gentleman at some distance from
the road. He likewise learned that she was a person disordered in her
senses, under the care and tuition of a widow lady, her relation, and
that in a day or two they should pursue their journey northward to the
place of her habitation.

After the footman had been some time dismissed, the knight recollected
that he had forgot to ask the name of the person to whom he belonged; and
began to be uneasy at this omission, which indeed was more interesting
than he could imagine. For an explanation of this nature would, in all
likelihood, have led to a discovery, that the lady in the coach was no
other than Miss Aurelia Darnel, who seeing him unexpectedly in such an
equipage and attitude, as he passed the coach, for his helmet was off,
had screamed with surprise and terror, and fainted away. Nevertheless,
when she recovered from her swoon, she concealed the real cause of her
agitation, and none of her attendants were acquainted with the person of
Sir Launcelot.

The circumstances of the disorder under which she was said to labour
shall be revealed in due course. In the meantime, our adventurer, though
unaccountably affected, never dreamed of such an occurrence; but being
very much fatigued, resolved to indemnify himself for the loss of last
night's repose; and this happened to be one of the few things in which
Crabshaw felt an ambition to follow his master's example.

CHAPTER NINE

WHICH MAY SERVE TO SHOW, THAT TRUE PATRIOTISM IS OF NO PARTY.

The knight had not enjoyed his repose above two hours, when he was
disturbed by such a variety of noises, as might have discomposed a brain
of the firmest texture. The rumbling of carriages, and the rattling of
horses' feet on the pavement, was intermingled with loud shouts, and the
noise of fiddle, French horn, and bagpipe. A loud peal was heard ringing
in the church tower, at some distance, while the inn resounded with
clamour, confusion, and uproar.

Sir Launcelot being thus alarmed, started from his bed, and running to
the window, beheld a cavalcade of persons well mounted, and distinguished
by blue cockades. They were generally attired like jockies, with
gold-laced hats and buckskin breeches, and one of them bore a standard of
blue silk, inscribed in white letters, LIBERTY AND THE LANDED INTEREST.
He who rode at their h