Page 332 - A Jacobite Exile
P. 332
"Indeed, Harry, there was a talk between my father and cousin Celia, a few
months before the troubles came, of a formal betrothal between us, and, had
it not been for the coolness between our fathers, it would have taken place."
"Yes, I remember now your telling me about it, Charlie.
"Well, what is to be done? for I agree with you that, if possible, John
Dormay must escape from the punishment he deserves. But how is it to be
done?"
"Well, Harry, a week or two will make no difference to our fathers. They
will have no expectation of hearing from us, for a long time to come. I
should say it were best that I should go down and warn him, and I shall be
glad if you will go with me."
"Of course I will go," Harry said. "Indeed, it were best that the warning
came from me. The man is a villain, and a reckless one; and in his passion,
when he hears that his rascality is known, the prize for which he schemed
snatched from him, and his very life in danger, might even seek to vent his
rage and spite upon you. Now it is clear, Charlie, that you could not very
well kill a man, and afterwards marry his daughter. The thing would be
scarce seemly. But the fellow is no kinsman of mine. He has grievously
injured us, and I could kill him without the smallest compunction, and
thereby rid the world of a scoundrel, and you of a prospective father-in-law
of the most objectionable kind."
Charlie laughed.
"No, Harry; we will have no killing. We will go down and see him together.
We will let him know that the orders are probably already on the road for
his arrest, and that he had best lose not an hour, but at once cross the water.
I should not think that he would wish to encumber himself with women, for
I never thought he showed the least affection to either his wife or daughter.
At any rate, we will see that he does not take them with him. I will tell him
that, if he goes, and goes alone, I will do my best to hush up the matter; and
that, so long as he remains abroad, the tale of his villainy shall never be
