Page 71 - A Jacobite Exile

precious skein, in order to entrap us, expecting, the scoundrel, to have my
estates bestowed on him as a reward."

"It were madness to ride back now, Sir Marmaduke. It would cost you your

life, and you would leave Charlie here fatherless, and with but little chance
of ever regaining the estate. You have but to wait for a time, and everything
will right itself. As soon as the king comes to his own, your estates will be

restored, and then I would not seek to stay your hand, if you sought
vengeance upon this cunning knave."

"Besides, father," Charlie put in, "much as he deserves any punishment you
can give him, you would not kill cousin Celia's husband and Ciceley's

father. When the truth is all made known, his punishment will be bitter
enough, for no honest man would offer him a hand, or sit down to a meal

with him.

"Ciceley has been as a young sister to me, and her mother has ever been as

kind as if she had been my aunt. I would not see them grieved, even if that
rogue came off scot free from punishment; but, at any rate, father, I pray

you to let it pass at present. This time we have happily got you out of the
clutches of the Whigs, but, if you fell into them again, you may be sure
they would never give us another chance."

Sir Marmaduke still sat irresolute, and Charlie went on:

"Besides, father, Mr. Jervoise has risked his life in lingering in Lancashire
to save you, and the brave fellows who aided us to rescue you have risked

theirs, both in the fray and afterwards, if their share in it should ever be
known; and it would not be fair to risk failure, after all they have done. I

pray you, father, be guided by the opinion of your good friend, Mr.
Jervoise."

Sir Marmaduke touched his horse's flank with his heel.

"You have prevailed, Charlie. Your last argument decided me. I have no
right to risk my life, after my good friends have done so much to save me.