and did not say a word till he reached her side, and answered her eager look of inquiry by saying in a melancholy tone

"Poor fellow! he has been very much overcome, but he is better now. He had heard his father was in failing health, but was not prepared for a fatal termination of his illness. However, I think he feels that it might have been worse,-I mean if his father had been arrested; I was glad I could tell him that misery had been averted. He says it would be a great comfort to him if he could see you; he proposed coming here, but I said he had better not leave the hermitage."

"You were right, dear Frederick-I feel so grieved for him-I hope I may not distress rather than comfort him—perhaps I had better not go."

"I am sure it would be a kindness to him if you could conquer your own feelings sufficiently to go and comfort him," said her cousin.

This was enough for Antonia; that she was required to act, always gave her the courage to do so. She quickly wiped away the fast gathering tears, and with a countenance full of sympathy, but calm and composed, she followed her cousin.

Sidney was seated on a low bench at the further end of the hermitage; his head was buried in his hands, one of which he held out as Antonia entered, but he did not appear able to speak, nor did he look up. The cousins sat down by him in silence, and for some minutes not a word was spoken. Sidney at last summoned resolution. He endeavoured, with quivering lip and shaking hand, to thank Antonia, but she prevented him by saying

"Do not thank me till you are really safe, and then how heartily shall I thank God for having blessed our endeavours. We must tell you all our plans for your escape. Do you feel equal to start to-night?"

Equal and ready,” he replied, eagerly.

"Well, then, we have prepared a disguise for you; your route and all is settled."

"My route!" interrupted Sidney; "I hope it is southward? I cannot leave England without seeing my poor mother and sisters."

'Indeed, indeed, Mr Berenger, you must not think of it. Soldiers are now in occupation of Castle Berenger; a price is set upon your own head it were worse than madness to attempt it.

Remember that Lady Berenger and your sisters are now dependent upon you; imagine I am speaking for them, that I am pleading their cause, when I entreat you to be most cautious and careful of yourself." And Antonia placed her hand upon his arm, as if to hold him back.

"I should be most ungrateful, most undeserving of your kindness, if I attempted to act in opposition to your advice," said Sidney, a gleam of transient pleasure passing over his countenance. "You have done more for me than I can ever repay; your own feelings must reward you.”

"And truly they will, when you are safe," replied Antonia, involuntarily catching his happier tone. "Hear all our plan, and where you object tell us truly, and we will make any alteration possible."

Antonia then disclosed their whole scheme. He approved of all, and promised the most implicit obedience to their directions.

Frederick then announced that he should leave Sleyton Court at midnight, and conduct Mr Berenger through the village to the public road, along which he might continue his journey, they hoped, with perfect safety. Antonia made some objection to

her cousin's leaving home so late at night, but he reminded her that soldiers were quartered in the village, and it might be unsafe for Mr Berenger to pass through it alone, especially as Mr Percy had distributed money amongst them to drink His Majesty's health, and to have a merry-making.

"This relaxation of discipline may make the soldiers quarrelsome and aggressive," said Frederick; "so that it is, I am sure, better that I should be present till you are safely through the village, and if seen with me, no suspicion will arise."

Sidney made some opposition to this part of the scheme, fearing it might involve Frederick in trouble; but he was overruled by the two cousins, by whom it was finally settled that at twelve o'clock that night Frederick was to meet Sidney at the entrance of Purline Glen. Should anything occur to prevent his being there, Mr Berenger was to proceed as well as he could from written directions with which he was provided.

And now Frederick, as agreed upon between the cousins, asked Sidney the delicate but necessary question whether he had sufficient funds to carry out his escape. To which he answered unhesitat

ingly, that if he lived to cross the water he should

"My kind uncle Murray, my mother's brother, sent me an order many months ago, which any foreign mercantile house will honour; I have always carried it about with me; it has been hitherto untouched. His kind forethought imagined the difficulty in which I am now placed. I shall therefore be able to offer a handsome reward to any one who will undertake to put me across the water."

And now all was settled, and Antonia feared to stay longer, lest she might be missed at home, for the inclement weather offered no excuse for out-ofdoor excursions. Whilst engaged in all the minute but deeply interesting details of escape, they seemed to forget the peculiar position in which they were placed. It was a common interest, and they discussed it all freely. But when the moment came for saying farewell, a mingled feeling of emotion and embarrassment seemed to creep over both Mr Berenger and Antonia. She held out her hand, he took it eagerly, and retained it whilst he made his last request

"Can you, will you let my mother know, if I