Wilton would have been very well contented to muse for a few minutes over what the Earl said.  Although his experience of the world was not great, yet he had a sufficient portion of good sense to supply experience in a high degree.  This good sense told him, that a sudden and extraordinary change in the demeanour of any man, but more especially in that of a man both subtle and determined, was more or less to be suspected.  He would fain, then, have obtained time to seek for the real motives and views of the Earl of Byerdale, in the extraordinary fit of kindness and condescension which had seized upon him; for he could almost fancy that the Earl was contriving his ruin, by engaging him in some rash endeavour to obtain the hand of Lady Laura.

Strong, however, in her love, he resolved to go on, to deal with her and with her father in all honour, and, supposing even that the Earl was endeavouring to play him false, to try whether straightforward and upright honesty, guided by a clear head, a firm heart, and a well prepared mind, might not win the game against subtilty and worldly cunning.

The Earl marked him as he mused for a minute, but saying nothing more upon the subject of his hopes, still pressed him to speak of the events of the preceding day.  It was somewhat difficult for Wilton so to shape his words as not to mention Lord Sherbrooke, and not to involve himself in any such distinct account of the Jacobites and their proceedings as might lead to their arrest, and force him at some future period to become a witness against them.  He succeeded tolerably well, however.  He could not, and indeed he did not, think it right to conceal, that he was perfectly certain the men he met with were engaged in the most dark and dangerous designs.  But he stated, at the same time, that such was merely the impression upon his mind, for that no distinct avowal of their purposes had been made in his presence, so as to justify him in charging them with treason.

“Nevertheless, my lord,” he added, “I think it highly and absolutely necessary for you to take the same measures as if you knew that a general insurrection was contemplated, for I feel perfectly certain that something of the kind is in agitation.”

The Earl smiled.  “Now tell me, Wilton,” he said, “amongst these worthy conspirators, did you see any one that was personally known to you?”

Wilton hesitated.

“Come, come, my young friend,” said the Earl—­“you must speak out.  We will not make an evidence of you, I promise you; and, indeed, both the King himself and all his ministers would be very glad that these persons should get beyond sea, and relieve us of their troublesome presence, provided—­mark me—­provided, there does not exist the clearest and most distinct proof, not alone that they are conspiring to overthrow the present dynasty—­for such conspiracies have been going on in every corner of the kingdom, and in the heart of every family, for the last ten years,