feelings as much resembling awe and horror as our good peer was
capable of experiencing. Already shocked from his worldly philosophy
of indifference by the death of Brandon, he was more susceptible to a
remorseful and salutary impression at this moment than he might have
been at any other; and he could not, without some twinges of conscience,
think of the ruin he had brought on the mother of the being he had but
just prosecuted to the death. He dismissed Dummie, and after a
little consideration he ordered his carriage, and leaving the funeral
preparations for his friend to the care of his man of business, he set
off for London, and the house, in particular, of the Secretary of the
Home Department. We would not willingly wrong the noble penitent; but
we venture a suspicion that he might not have preferred a personal
application for mercy to the prisoner to a written one, had he not felt
certain unpleasant qualms in remaining in a country-house overshadowed
by ceremonies so gloomy as those of death. The letter of Brandon and
the application of Mauleverer obtained for Clifford a relaxation of his
sentence. He was left for perpetual transportation. A ship was already
about to sail; and Mauleverer, content with having saved his life,
was by no means anxious that his departure from the country should be
saddled with any superfluous delay.

Meanwhile the first rumour that reached London respecting Brandon's fate
was that he had been found in a fit, and was lying dangerously ill
at Mauleverer's; and before the second and more fatally sure report
arrived, Lucy had gathered from the visible dismay of Barlow, whom
she anxiously cross-questioned, and who, really loving his master,
was easily affected into communication, the first and more flattering
intelligence. To Barlow's secret delight, she insisted instantly on
setting off to the supposed sick man; and accompanied by Barlow and
her woman, the affectionate girl hastened to Mauleverer's house on
the evening after the day the earl left it. Lucy had not proceeded far
before Barlow learned, from the gossip of the road, the real state
of the case. Indeed, it was at the first stage that with a mournful
countenance he approached the door of the carriage, and announcing the
inutility of proceeding farther, begged of Lucy to turn back. So soon as
Miss Brandon had overcome the first shock which this intelligence gave
her, she said with calmness,--

"Well, Barlow, if it be so, we have s