mals wot had caused that ere unforeseen misfortune!" when Mrs. Crawford and Catherine came to themselves again. Looking round to discover who had assisted them in their dilemma, a young officer, dressed in the uniform of the cavalry regiment stationed at Hounslow, politely stepped up to them, and begged to enquire whether they had had met with any injury. "Not the smallest, Sir, I can assure you," returned Mrs. Crawford; "and if it be to you that we are indebted "Oh! do not mention it," said the officer, whose manners were as agreeable as his countenance was handsome. "I happened to be standing here, and seeing the accident, rushed forward to open the door. As you have escaped all injury, I cannot but regard this as a happy event-for I am selfish-since it has procured me the honour of your acquaintance.” Mrs. Crawford bowed politely. "But you had better walk in while the accident is being remedied. Here, Joseph," said the officer to a waiter, "shew these ladies to a parlour:-" and they followed the servant to one, the stranger still attending them. When the domestic had quitted the room, the officer again desired to know if there were anything he could do for the comfort of the ladies. My own carriage is here at your service," he added and without waiting for a reply, quitted the apartment. In a few minutes he returned. "I have made enquiries," said he, " and find that two hours cannot repair the injury your chaise has sustained: I have therefore taken the liberty of placing my carriage at your disposal." "Indeed, Sir," said Mrs. Crawford, "I could not think of accepting your very kind offer." But she was overruled by the officer, who at length persuaded her softly, though firmly, to proceed in his vehicle: and in five minutes a beautiful carriage, drawn by two horses, drove up to the door. "Captain Stewart's carriage waits!" cried a servant, who entered. "Remove the trunks into it from the chaise, then," returned the officer; and his orders were speedily obeyed. "You will use it as you please," continued he, addressing the ladies and casting a tender glance towards the beautiful Catherine, whose hand trembled in his, as he helped her to ascend the steps. A thousand thanks were given by Mrs. Crawford-and Captain Stewart took a respectful leave, "till he should have the pleasure of seeing them again, an honour he expected shortly.' He then desired his coachman to drive speedily, directing him whither he was to proceed, having previously ascertained that point from the postilion of the chaise; and the carriage drove off accordingly, leaving its owner's bosom filled with the image of the lovely Catherine. when smiles revealed them. As for his birth, he was the younger son of a noble lord, who allowed him an excellent income, on which he lived well, without embarrassment, and without contracting debts. His honour was unimpeachable -his character blameless: he was respected by his brother officers, and beloved hy his men. His manners were strictly gentlemanly, yet frank and bland to an extreme; his heart ever prompted him to relieve the necessitous: in fine, his bounty was profuse to a fault. Of course with regard to his character Catherine knew nothing; but it is not astonishing if she talked and thought of the handsome exterior and polished manners of Captain Stewart. Indeed, after she and her mother had been some time seated once more in their own little parlour at the cottage, Catherine's tongue still gave utterance to the ideas she had formed concerning one who had so materially administered to their comfort. CHAPTER VII. Here lurch'd a wretche who had not crept abroade MR. RIVINGSTONE knew more of the inmates of the solitary hovel, near the Duke of Gloucester's park, than he had chosen to confess. Many a time and often had he taken refuge there, when some daring deed had almost led to his capture; nor unfrequently were the choice articles which he found upon the highway, in the pockets or carriages of travellers, secreted by the worthy Mrs. Dimmock, who was not sorry to see her patron, as she called him, when he now entered the cottage. "Ah! Mister Rivingstone," cried she, "it's a 'nation time sure-ly since I seed ye here. Wot sport are ye 'ad lately on the road? But these are d-d bad times for the gemmen of the profession wot's genteel: them cracksmen gets the best off now-a-days, though a few does manage to be scragged † sometimes." "Yes, in truth, Mrs. Dimmock: but where is the old man this morning?" "He's in the crib- -lying on his bed there, the lazy old villain, I'll warrant ye, Mister Rivingstone. Vy, wot d'ye think? he ar'nt been out of the 'ouse these three months and more; while I'm obligated to get the blunt, by sending my kid to filch on the preserves and do a little business in that way at Bagshot. Sure the beaks were arter the poor urchin the other day; and he scarcely escaped the darbies§, for they had fast hold on him, before he could make his lucky." "Was he actually caught, then?" inquired Rivingstone. Nor did she forget him immediately. During "Yes-but he w'ornt taken afore the justice, for the whole of the ride from Hounslow to their own I 'appened to have a little loose money by great home, Catherine talked of nothing but the hand-chance, and with that I happily bought hoff the some officer: and indeed he was handsome. His figure was tall and excellently formed his hair was brown, curling almost into ringlets ;-his forehead was high-his air was manly, and his exterior becoming the situation he held. He wore a small moustache upon the upper lip, which scrved to set off more peculiarly his ivory teeth, traps, the warmints! Howsomever, to day he's gone to see the milling-coves wot fout at Maidenhead: so I 'spose he'll have a riglar dare up and come home as tosticated as the beasties in the fields, the drunken warlet !'' * Burglars. § Chains. + Hanged. + Son. || Prize fighters, "No-no-I'll call him in a few minutes, and no mistake," returned the talkative dame, determined not to be disappointed of her chat. "But I say, is there hany thing in the vind that ye vant my hold husband for?"?` "Nothing particular." "Will it be long before I can see the old | a man of five or six years older than his wife, with man," asked Rivingstone, seating himself in a emaciated look, and a trembling gait, but possesschair, and looking anxiously towards the inner ing a good intellect, and a disposition suited to room of the cottage. the business he was desired by Rivingstone to undertake. Moreover, his conversation was free from those mellifluous expressions and facinating phrases which embellished that made use of by his wife. He had been a soldier when very young, then a respectable tradesman in Dublin or Cork; we forget which and lastly he had fallen to his present predicament "by unforeseen calamities, and unavoidable misfortunes, in those times of agricultural distress and commercial embarrassment," as every street-walking mendicant observes. For many years he had led an indolent kind of life at the cottage where we now find him, having married a low woman, who picked to exert himself in the least towards contributing to the means of their support and existence, This suited his indolent habits; and he cared not whether his son became an honest man or a villain, as long as he was suffered to remain quiet. Such was the individual who now entered the room, and humbly bowed to Mr. Kivingstone. "Oh! nothing partickler-well-well," continued the elegant Mrs. Dimmock, putting some turf upon the fire to boil the pot which contained the dinner; for it was now nearly twelve o'clock. "By the by, my son Bill was at 'Ounslow t'other day, a week or for'night agone, and there was a terrible pitch up sure-ly-a nation clatter as hever was. There was tidings of a prig having stop-up money in various ways, and never troubled him ped one captain Stewart of the rigment there, and knapped a morocky reader containing riglar Alimsiest of the Bank of Hingland for I forget how much-some two or three hundred pounds, that's sartain. Says I to our Bill, says I, That ere's Mister Rivingstone, and no mistake. He says, says he, 'He might ha' been von, but there was others as well, I heard say,' says he. So then I said to myself, says I, 'He's got hold of some new pals,§ ten to von.-Is it so, Mister Rivingstone-tell us?" "Oh! yes, to be sure. But I am beginning -only beginning, I assure you, to be rather in a hurry; for my business presses," returned he. "It does, does it ?" said Mrs. Dimmock coolly. "I'll call him directly, for you've always done the thing what's right by me. 'Twas but the last time save two that you was here, that you give me a quid for myself; and then, ven you bought the pistols of the old man, there was three bob** and a tanner hover and above, which you also givd' me: and you did it in the most nibsome way in the world. No, no, Missus Dimmock, you says, says you, ⚫ damn and blast the tin; §§ keep it for yourself, my dear, and tip us your mawley|||| into the bargain:'-did ye not?" "Very probably I did and I will answer for the language. But will you summon your good husband if you please?" cried Rivingstone. The old woman now really rose in earnest, to do as she was desired; and her fat carcase was dragged lazily through the small door that opened to an inner apartment, which she had elegantly denominated a crib. "I have come," said the worthy associate of the worthy Arnold and Crawford, when the old man had seated himself—“I have come, Master Dimmock, to speak to you concerning a particular affair, and to engage you in a business which will make our fortuues. In fact, it will open the purse of the money-lender, overcome the avarice of the Jew, command credit at every shop in London, and will probably enable a young man to wed the richest heiress in the land." "Indeed! you speak fairly, Sir, and may command me. Old as I am, I could enter into any scheme that promises so much." "Yes-but then you are too indolent, I feartoo much given to idle habits, and inactivity," pursued Rivingstone, as he mused upon his plans. "You think so! When I need not exert myself, I love tranquillity and quietness; but when I am obliged to arouse those dormant energies, I shall not be found a sluggard." "There's one thing in his favour, Mister Rivingstone," said the good lady, "he a'nt given to the daffy: that ere I'll be sworn to upon my 'davit, if it was the last day of my hexistence in this varsal world of ou'rn." "The "The business is important and requires cirThe one where Rivingstone was seated, ex- cumspection," continued Rivingstone. hibited not those marks of poverty which the ex- least inaccuracy of conduct, the slightest inadterior of the dwelling would have warranted a vertent allusion, will betray everything. Memory, person to suppose must exist within. The shelves judgment, and as much impudence as you please, were covered with white plates, and various culi-will be essentially necessary: you will have to nary articles; the floor, formed of red bricks, once glazed, was spread with fresh sand; and the table in the middle was covered by a clean though coarse napkin, in preparation for dinner. The old woman herself was not so untidy in her appearance, as she was inelegant in her choice of words. Her years might be about sixty; but her form was excessively capacious, and her face healthy. This was not, however, the case with the individual she pushed into the apartment. He was + A pocket-book. * Stole, play your part before numbers high, and low, perhaps; in fact the scheme is one of the most glorious, at the same time the most dangerous, ever read or heard of." "Still, if you have thought me competent to undertake any part in the matter, I am resolved to proceed, whatever is its nature. I am old and poor I have nothing to lose, but every thing to gain what then need I fear? if I am discovered in any way, who cares? and since the—-” 66 Vy, you hold fool; you ar'nt a going to moralise at this time o'day ?" inquired his wife, more willing that Rivingstone's wish should be attended to than even himself: "can't you keep *Liquor.** your velvet like a pond in a frost, and listen to what the gentleman says, d'ye hear? A'rnt he talking away for your good; let him talk then hall day, if he likes, since he seems to want to put the dust into your pocket, and give you a lift in the world. I h'ant got no patience to hear ye sport your rubbish like that ere. Why, if you'd just come from the workhouse ye could'nt be poorer : not a tanner, by God, in the whole 'ouse !" "Silence this instant !" exclaimed the husband. "You have had your way lately without my interference; now I shall have mine, you may depend upon it." Rivingstone took his leave of the worthy pair at the cottage, leaving a present of five guineas behind him; and then hastened to Bagshot to wait for the first coach that might pass for London. He sauntered into the hotel there, and ordered some refreshments to while away the time till the vehicle should arrive, which would be nearly a couple of hours. The day was particularly hot-his walk had heated him, and the perspiration stood like large drops of rain on his forehead. Oppressed by thirst, he greedily seized hold of a bottle of water the moment he entered the coffee-room of the inn. This, added to the excitement of his morning's business, in a few minutes operated so severely upon him that he felt himself excessively unwell, A film seemed to come over his eyes-his brain whirled; and in half an hour he was obliged to resign all hope of reaching London that day. The only surgeon in the town was summoned; and he declared that to move the patient would be death. This announcement annoyed the highwayman, "My good woman, be quiet a little, I beseech although a few days were of little consequence you," added Rivingstone, suppressing a laugh. in the prosecution of the plans which he and his "One thing you have forgotten, Mr. Riving-associates were engaged in. But he gave himself stone," said the old man; you have not yet unfolded the nature of your scheme?—" "Hold your tongue, and shut your tatur trap,† 'fore I fetch ye a wipe hover the hogle, ye himperant vagabond: close your straw bonnet, § do!" cried the wife. "You are right my friend," said Rivingstone, without regarding this polite interruption; "I know I have not; neither is it my intention at present to unveil all. Suffice it to say that you are only to personate the character of a man immensely rich, and very parsimonious. Do you comprehend me? can you put on all the airs that wealth induces an individual to assume ?-a certain dignified look "No-he be damned !" was the emphatic interruption of Mrs. Dimmock. "But he shall try, the warmint! though; or I'll jist put my mawley into his ugly mug " "My good woman, will you leave us together tor a few minutes," said Rivingstone impatiently; and such was the respect borne him, that concrary to his expectations he was obeyed with only a ""Tis a gallows hodd thing, 'owever, that a poor b-h like me can't hear what a svell cove has to say to my husband!" When she had departed, Rivingstone became more explicit relative to the nature of the business contemplated; and the old man, whose principles of morality were not more correct than they ought to be, hesitated but little. His determination was soon expressed; and he declared his readiness and ability to undertake his share in the concern. The plan not only seemed to him admirable, but also certain of success: and he gignified his desire to commence as quickly as possible. This is the only point on which I cannot decide positively," remarked Rivingstone: "however, I shall hasten to London and consult with my colleagues. In a day or two I will return, and make you aware of our intentions; till then I can say nothing as to where we must meet, or anything more about it. So good bye for the pre sent." * Can't you keep your tongue still? + Mouth. + Ogle-the eye. § Mouth. up to the care of his doctor, and remained a week, or thereabouts, at the inn, before he could even leave his bed. On the ninth day, however, he was pronounced convalescent, and fit to undertake a short journey, if he pleased. He accordingly paid his bill and the surgeon liberally, and had the felicity of finding himself in London four hours after. He hurried to Leadenhall-street, where he luckily found Arnold and Crawford together, drinking their wine after dinner, and very anxious concerning the absence of their comrade. "We thought you had been captured by the police for something," said Arnold, after explanations had taken place. 66 'No, indeed. And now for the success of my excursion to the old fellow at Bagshot," returned Rivingstone; upon which he related all that had passed. "We cannot," said Arnold, "allow this Dimmock to join us in London directly; for in that case, when the grand declaration is made, several persons would probably recognise him, and would trace his communications with us. Let him therefore be supplied with money-But is he to be trusted?"" "I'll answer for it," replied Rivingstone. "His own interest alone would make him staunch." 66 Very well," proceeded Arnold. "Then, as I was saying, let him hasten with a good supply of money to -where shall it be?" "To Bath, to Cheltenham, to Brighton, or whither?"’ "Liverpool or Birmingham would probably be better," remarked Crawford. "No-let us say Cheltenham," cried Arnold. "The world there will be more easily duped than the plodding merchants at either of the large towns." Proceed," said Ri "I am of your opinion. vingstone, as he passed the wine. "Well-let us furnish Dimmock with money let him hasten to Cheltenham, and put up at the second best hotel, because he must remember that he is to be parsimonious in most things, and liberal in very few. This parsimony will account for his not having a carriage and splendid equipage, and his occasional liberality will prove that it is not impossible for him to supply Crawford, or his adopted son, as we must afterwards call him, with considerable sums of money." Why should he not have a carriage?" enquired Rivingstone. "For an excellent reason," returned Arnold, who had weighed all points with the utmost care and deliberation. "If he had one built directly, the world would wonder why he never did so before; and as strict enquiries will be doubtless made by many, it would not be consistent if we report that he only arrived from Portugal the other day." "You are right," said Rivingstone, after a moment's thought. "It will be easy for Crawford," proceeded Ar | nold, " to join Dimmock at Cheltenham; that is, to put up at the same hotel, as if by accident. and having previously arranged how it will be best to commence an intimate acquaintance." "Would not Crawford do well to have an interview with the old fellow, then, to-morrow, or the next day, and speak to him about this very circumstance?" "To-morrow morning," exclaimed the youth, who listened with the deepest attention to these discussions, "I will accompany Rivingstone." "Or the day after-because my illness at Bag shot has left me in a state of partial weakness." "Then our arrangements will be complete,' remarked Arnold. "In four-and-twenty hours I shall be in possession of sufficient funds for the present. I have been obliged, for certain reasons, to part with a portion of that sum which Captain Stewart supplied, good soul!-By the bye, Rivingstone, you must tutor the old man in such a way, that he may never betray himself in conversation: I had rather we enlisted a gentleman into the service!" "Rest assured, my dear Arnold, that all will be well. It would appear more suspicious if it were a regular gentleman; otherwise I might enact the part myself," he added, laughing. "But a vulgar sort of fellow is far more likely to be the possessor of eight or nine millions than any one else." "There is sound sense in that," remarked Crawford; "and he is also the more likely to be a parsimonious man. A gentleman, or an individual who from his birth and education ought to have liberal ideas, would not be credited when stated his revenues were so enormous, and his expenses so small!" "So far, so good," cried Arnold. "The hour is growing late; to morrow I shall join you early -till then, farewell, my friends." And he accordingly departed, leaving Rivingstone and Crawford to seek their respective cham bers. CHAPTER VIII. Here he was interrupted by a knife, With "Damn your eyes, your money or your life!" We shall not weary our gentle reader with a strict This was James Crawford. Here we shall leave them to prosecute their plans as already agreed upon, and hasten to other matters. Rivingstone returned to his home at Hounslow, till his services should be again wanted, and till the event of the scheme was known. Arnold bade him adieu for the present, and took his place in the coach for Southampton. their lessons at the tender age of thirteen, when early impressions are fixed the more indelibly-and a regiment being continually stationed at Hounslow, were great impediments in the way of the nocturnal plunderer. Captain Stewart related the circumstances of the robbery that had lately been committed upon him, and the loss he had sustained. Mrs. Crawford congratulated him upon his narrow escape: he then rose to depart, soliciting permission to renew his visit-a request that was immediately granted. With a graceful bow he retired; and Catherine felt sorry that he was gone. She knew not why, but she could have listened to his conversation the whole day, with out feeling fatigued: at leat she thought so, and think so too; for the germinations of affection were budding in the bosoms of both. Captain Stewart was also annoye 1 at being obliged by common courtesy not to extend his visit to too great a length; and du ing is ride to Hounslow, he never once ceased thin ing ot the beautiful and innocent girl he left chind him. At the mess table on the same day his brotherofficers rallied him on the absence of his manner; but he replied briefly, and soon withdrew to his own room, still pondering on the lovely Catherine and all she had said during his morning's visit. He however determined to avail himself of the permission granted him to renew it; end at the end of the week he dressed himself as carefully as possible, and mounting his horse, roce off with a light heart towards the cottage. Catherine could not conceal the piasure she experienced in seeing him once more, for a deep blush spread a vermillion glow on bex fair face, vying with the hue of those lips wbe e another Anthony might have sealed his destruction. The The Captain was invited to stay to dinner-an invitation that required no repetition. morning then passed rapidly away; a walk in the garden, an inspection of every flower Catherine herself had cultivated, and a diversified conversation filled up the flitting time. The evening also slipped too-oh! far too quickly away; and when he once more, as the clock in the passage proclaimed the hour of ten, arose to return to Hounslow, their eyes met; and though the glance of each was instantly withdrawn, Stewart read the fact of Catherine's inclination towards him, while her extreme innocence and inex.. perience prevented her from making a similar discovery. Still she felt pleased that his eyes beamed tenderly on her for an instant :-that single look dwelt long in her memory! Stewart could collect himself, the robber hurled him to the ground. But in the meantime, Captain Stewart had called at the cottage, and made his enquiries after the health of Mrs. Crawford and Catherine. He The officer soon mounted his horse again, and was received with cordiality; for the favour he had was proceeding along the road at a moderate done them, and the gentlemanly delicacy of his pace, when suddenly some one started from the manners assured him a welcome reception. Lun-hedge, and laid hold of the bridle; and before cheon was set before him ; and a conversation arose respecting the highwaymen who occasionally dared to molest the midnight traveller; for of late years their number had gradually diminished. Some had fallen by the rigorous hand of justice-others had been sent on a foreign excursion across the seas at the expense of the government; and, in fine, seldom was it now that the coachman was stopped, or the horseman arrested on his road. Besides, the establishment of the Military College -a place expressly adapted to fill the army with officers of excellent morality, as they commence The night was clear-the moon rode high and beautifully in the vast regions of immensity, dispersing her silver rays around. Stewart rose from the dust, quick as lightning: a pistol was presented to his breast by the hardy assailant, and as speedily dashed aside. Stewart was powerful, although he had been taken by surprise. To seize the highwayman was the matter of a moment: a severe struggle ensued, when luckily a late coach came up, and the |