the river, and the
pleasing objects on the other side of the Thames, displayed in the oozy
docks and cabbage-gardens of Rotherhithe. Sir Launcelot was not
insensible to the beauties of this landscape, but, his pursuit lying
another way, he contented himself with a less enchanting situation, and
Crowe accompanied him out of pure friendship.

At night, Mr. Clarke arrived at our hero's house with tidings that were
by no means agreeable. He told him, that Clump had left a letter for
Dolly, informing her, that his master, Squire Darnel, was to set out
early in the morning for Yorkshire; but he could give no account of her
lady, who had the day before been conveyed, he knew not whither, in a
hackney-coach, attended by her uncle and an ill-looking fellow, who had
much the appearance of a bailiff or turnkey, so that he feared she was in
trouble.

Sir Launcelot was deeply affected by this intimation. His apprehension
was even roused by a suspicion that a man of Darnel's violent temper and
unprincipled heart might have practised upon the life of his lovely
niece; but, upon recollection, he could not suppose that he had recourse
to such infamous expedients, knowing as he did, that an account of her
would be demanded at his hands, and that it would be easily proved he had
conveyed her from the lodging in which she resided.

His first fears now gave way to another suggestion, that Anthony, in
order to intimidate her into a compliance with his proposals, had trumped
up a spurious claim against her, and, by virtue of a writ, confined her
in some prison or spunging-house. Possessed with this idea, he desired
Mr. Clarke to search the sheriff's office in the morning, that he might
know whether any such writ had been granted; and he himself resolved to
make a tour of the great prisons belonging to the metropolis, to inquire,
if perchance she might not be confined under a borrowed name. Finally,
he determined, if possible, to apprise her of his place of abode, by a
paragraph in all the daily papers, signifying that Sir Launcelot Greaves
had arrived at his house near Golden Square.

All these resolutions were punctually executed. No such writ had been
taken out in the sheriff's office; and therefore our hero set out on his
jail expedition, accompanied by Mr. Clarke, who had contracted some
acquaintance with the commanding officers in these garrisons, in the
course of his clerkship and practice as an attorney. The first day they
s