Page 55 - A Jacobite Exile

valley.

Although the boy by no means wished Mr. Jervoise to be involved in his
father's trouble, Charlie could not help feeling a certain amount of pleasure

at the news. He thought it certain that, if his father escaped, he would have
to leave the country, and that he would, in that case, take him as companion
in his flight. If Mr. Jervoise and Harry also left the country, it would be

vastly more pleasant for both his father and himself. Where they would go
to, or what they would do, he had no idea, but it seemed to him that exile

among strangers would be bearable, if he had his friend with him. It would
not last many years, for surely the often talked-of landing could not be very
much longer delayed; then they would return, share in the triumph of the

Stuart cause, and resume their life at Lynnwood, and reckon with those
who had brought this foul charge against them.

That the Jacobite cause could fail to triumph was a contingency to which
Charlie did not give even a thought. He had been taught that it was a just

and holy cause. All his school friends, as well as the gentlemen who visited
his father, were firm adherents of it, and he believed that the same

sentiments must everywhere prevail. There was, then, nothing but the
troops of William to reckon with, and these could hardly oppose a rising of
the English people, backed by aid from France.

It was not until after dark that the messenger returned.

"Master Harry bade me tell you, sir, that a gipsy boy he had never seen
before has brought him a little note from his father. He will not return at

present, but, if Mr. Harry can manage to slip away unnoticed in the
afternoon, tomorrow, he is to come here. He is not to come direct, but to

make a circuit, lest he should be watched and followed, and it may be that
the master will meet him here."

Charlie was very glad to hear this. Harry could, of course, give him little
news of what was going on outside the house, but Mr. Jervoise might be

able to tell him something about his father, especially as he had said he had
means of learning what went on in Lancaster jail.