“I do not in the slightest degree suspect you, Churchill,” replied the Earl.  “The only point was to ascertain whether it was you or Sir George Barkley who was with my friend Wilton, here, last night; Arden, the Messenger, who has behaved very ill throughout the whole business, positively swearing, this morning, that Wilton was accompanied along part of the road by Sir George Barkley, the well-known traitor, and that he, Wilton, my private secretary, connived at and aided his escape.”

“I can assure your lordship,” replied Churchill, in a perfectly grave tone, “on my honour as a gentleman, I have the most perfect certainty, and could prove, if necessary, that the charge is entirely and totally false; that Sir George Barkley did not accompany your young friend for a single step, and that he was only accompanied by a fair lady with very bright eyes, by another gentleman whom I understand to be a certain Captain Byerly—­a very respectable man, only that he rides a little hard upon the King’s Highway—­and by a person, of perhaps less importance and repute, named Captain Churchill.”

“That is quite satisfactory, my dear sir,” replied the Earl.  “You hear, Mr. Arden.  Be so good as to quit the room, and to remember, that from this moment you are no longer a Messenger of State.”

Wilton could almost have found it in his heart to interpose, knowing all that he did know; but when he recollected the whole course of the man’s bad conduct, he felt that the retribution which had fallen upon him was but just, and he left the matter to take its course.  Churchill then conversed for a few minutes with the Earl, in an under tone; and as the business of the day seemed over, Wilton prepared to take his departure.

“Wait one moment, Mr. Brown,” said Churchill, “and if you are going my way, I will accompany you.”

“You will not fail, my dear Wilton, I trust,” said the Earl, “to visit the young lady, and inquire after her health.  Pray present my most devoted homage to her, and assure her that I have been most uneasy at her situation, and grieved for all that she must have undergone.  I shall certainly wait upon her to-morrow.  In the meantime,” he added, in a lower tone, “do not entertain any apprehensions in regard to your situation.  Go boldly forward, make sure of her heart, and all the rest will be rendered much more easy than you imagine.  Nothing that I can do for you shall be wanting; and you have only to let me know when you have any engagement at Beaufort House, and I will find means to do without your attendance here.—­I beg your pardon, Captain Churchill; I only wished to give this young gentleman a word of good advice before he left me.”

“And I only waited till he was ready, my lord,” replied Churchill, “to take my leave of your lordship, wishing you full success in dealing with the nest of vagabonds you have got hold of.”

Thus saying, he took his leave, and quitting the house together with Wilton, put his arm through his, and walked on as familiarly as if they had been old acquaintances.