n seized and condemned by the unjust Judge, while
he was utterly powerless to assist them openly. The health of the
Colonel did not allow him to leave home, or, interested as he was in the
fate of his young friends, he would have gone to try and help them. Mr
Willoughby, however, who was dauntless in a good cause, offered to
attend the assize to be ready to take advantage of any opening which
might occur. As he listened, however, to the language of the Judge, who
looked more like a drunken madman than a minister of justice, he was in
despair; he exerted himself to ascertain the places and time of
execution of the different prisoners. He found that Andrew, together
with Colonel Holmes, Dr Temple--the Duke's physician--Mr Tyler, who
had read the Declaration, were to be executed at Lyme, near the spot
where the Duke of Monmouth had landed, about half a mile west of the
town. It gave him slight hope that Stephen might escape; but he in vain
endeavoured to see him or to ascertain what was to be his fate. He was
returning from the Court to his inn, when he saw before him a slight
female figure in a riding-dress; it was Alice.

"Oh, uncle Willoughby!" she exclaimed, taking his hand; "do not blame
me; while there is life there is hope. I cannot let Stephen perish
without endeavouring to save him; I should never forgive myself."

"I cannot blame you, Alice," said Mr Willoughby. "How are you going to
proceed? What means have you at your disposal?"

"I know that I can promise any sum that Mr Battiscombe has it in his
power to pay, and I propose seeing the Judge himself," said Alice. "I
will tell him that the death of one brother is sufficient to appease the
demands of justice."

"But I fear, Alice, that he will say both are equally guilty," observed
Mr Willoughby. "And you must be prepared for a refusal. Still, I
would not hinder you from seeing the Judge, terrible as he is in his
manner and appearance."

"I have thought over everything," answered Alice, "and resolved to brave
the lion in his den. He condemned the elder brother to death, and he
may be induced to suppose that the younger was led to join the Duke by
his influence."

"I fear much, Alice, that he will be influenced by no other
consideration beyond the amount you can offer him," said Mr Willoughby.

Strong in the justice of her cause, and prompted by her devotion to
Stephen, in spite of the savage nature of the Judge, her aim was to see
him before