"One of them was his son, the Captain; one was his daughter, Miss Bervie; and the third was that smooth-tongued old soldier, Major Mulvany. If the escape of Mr. Bowmore and Mr. Linwood is in contemplation, mark my words: the persons whom I have just mentioned will be concerned in it--and perhaps Miss Charlotte herself as well. At present, she is entirely unsuspicious of any misfortune hanging over her head; her attention being absorbed in the preparation of her bridal finery. As an admirer myself of the fair ***, I must own that it seems hard on the girl to have her lover clapped into prison, before the wedding-day.
"I will bring you word of the arrest myself. There will be plenty of time to catch the afternoon coach to London.
"Here--unless something happens which it is impossible to foresee--my report may come to an end."* Readers who may desire to test the author's authority for this statement, are referred to "The Annual Register" for 1817, Chapters I. and III.; and, further on, to page 66 in the same volume.
CHAPTER X. THE ELOPEMENT.