ground. Then he railed at poor Mr. Hilyard for not taking his friends into confidence; for not bringing him more beer; because his food must needs be cold; because he would not sit with him all day long; and was as unreasonable as a child, taking the service and patience of this faithful creature as if it were a thing to which he was entitled.

At night, with his punch

and his tobacco, he was easier, and told, over and over again, how he became a conspirator: chiefly because he hoped for wealth, and could not bear to think that he was, save for the small inheritance of Etherston, a dependent on the bounty of his aunt. I think that if Lady Crewe had given him some part of the estate which she designed for him it might have been better. Yet who would assure assure her that this part, too, would not go the same way as it had gone before? the way of the county; the only Northumberland loved a lavish way of life;

only man who cast in his

After all, it is

Tom was not gentleman who he was not the fortunes (after

they were ruined) with those of the Prince

(which, I now perceive, were desperate), in the hope of winning back all, and more. But if he had owned something he might have been content to wait.

Other news Mr. Hilyard got together; as that Lord Derwentwater remained perfectly quiet Tom declared that he was never in any conspiracy or plot whatever; his house at Dilston harboured none of the secret messengers; to all appearance he was entirely occupied in the management of his estates, and in the new house which he proposed to build, and, indeed, had already begun, but had no time to finish. I have seen a letter written by him in this very month of August, in which he expressed his earnest prayer for peace and quiet, of which,' he added, we have had so little as yet.' Ah! had this most amiable of men been born in a lowlier station! Could he, without reproach, have spent his life careless of princes and politics, how happy would he have been! Some of us seem especially born for happiness; they evidently desire it both for themselves and for those they love; they are by nature benevolent, generous,

active in relieving those who suffer such an one was my lord, born to be himself happy and to make others happy.

It was, I remember, on September the 15th, being Friday (a most ominous and unlucky day of the week), that Mr. Hilyard came running home with a face greatly agitated.

6

They have begun!' he cried. Then he sat down and looked round him as one who is trying to understand the meaning of things. They have begun! Alas! It needed not a prophet to foretell, when the Queen died, the blood which should flow.'

'Who have begun, Mr. Hilyard? Tell me -quick!'

He was

can

rebellion;

But let

'Let us go tell his honour. right; they have begun, and no tell the end. It is easy to talk of but to play at it-there, indeed! us to the castle and tell his honour.' He rose, and shook his head dolefully. 'What hath been begun ?' I repeated. The Scots have begun. Four days ago they proclaimed the Prince at Kirk Michael.

VOL. II.

34

I have it from the gipsies, some of whom were there and saw it done. They are reported to be already 5,000 strong.'

This was news indeed. Should we be kept back when the Scots had led the way? Why, in a moment, all the things I had heard since I was a child rushed to my brain. The rising was always to begin in Scotland; it was to be supported by the Highlanders; it was to be followed by risings in Ireland, the West, the North, and the Midland Counties. The project was always the same. And now, after many years, we were to see the great design carried out. The thing was so great, that to think of it actually as begun made one's head to reel.

'Yes,' said Mr. Hilyard gravely, his honour will have his chance at last. It is an Earl's coronet-promised by the Chief of a House which is famous, as everybody knows, for keeping promises-the gratitude of the Prince on the one side; on the other-what? At the best, flight in France; at the worstnay, Miss Dorothy, look not so pale. In war, even in civil war, which is fiercer and

more sanguinary, there are a thousand chances. What! The Prince may be successful; the army, as they hope, may join him; the sailors, as they desire, may mutiny; the people, as they trust, may love Divine Right more than they fear the fires of Smithfield; they may love the comely face of a young Prince more than they dread the Inquisition. What do I know? Even London-all is possible; all-believe me. Wherefore, courage! we are embarked upon an enterprise full of uncertainty. But courage! all may yet go well, though one may still fear the worst.'

With such despondency did Mr. Hilyard receive the news which filled my foolish heart with joy. But he was never a Tory at heart, being so jealous for the Protestant religion, that he could never believe the Church safe under a Catholic King. He went off, therefore, hanging his head, to carry the news to the castle.

Tom received the news with so much joy, that at first he was for throwing off all concealment, and at once proclaiming the Prince on the steps of Bamborough Castle. Then he would ride about openly and resist the