ith this disappointment.' The guards opened the door, and I went
down stairs with him, still conjuring him to make all possible
dispatch. As soon as he had cleared the door I made him walk before
me, for fear the sentinel should take notice of his walk, but I
continued to press him to make all the dispatch he possibly could.
At the bottom of the stairs I met my dear Evans, into whose hands I
confided him. I had before engaged Mr. Mills to be in readiness
before the Tower to conduct him to some place of safety, in case we
succeeded. He looked upon the affair as so very improbable to
succeed, that his astonishment, when he saw us, threw him into such
a consternation that he was almost out of himself; which Evans
perceiving, with the greatest presence of mind, without telling him
anything, lest he should mistrust them, conducted him to some of her
own friends on whom she could rely, and so secured him, without
which we certainly should have been undone. When she had conducted
him and left him with them, she returned to Mr. Mills, who had by
this time recovered himself from his astonishment. They went home
together; and having found a place of security, they conducted him
to it. In the mean time, as I had pretended to have sent the young
lady on a message, I was obliged to return up stairs and go back to
my lord's room in the same feigned anxiety of being too late, so
that everybody seemed sincerely to sympathise in my distress. When I
was in the room, I talked as if he had been really present. I
answered my own questions in my lord's voice, as nearly as I could
imitate it. I walked up and down as if we were conversing together,
till I thought they had time enough thoroughly to clear themselves
of the guards. I then thought proper to make off also. I opened the
door and stood half in it, that those in the outward chamber might
hear what I said, but held it so close that they could not look in.
I bade my lord formal farewell for the night, and added, that
something more than usual must have happened to make Evans
negligent on this important occasion, who had always been so
punctual in the smallest trifles, that I saw no other remedy than to
go in person. That if the Tower was then open, when I had finished
my business, I would return that night; but that he might be assured
I would be with