The scene is almost prepared to shift. I am dismissed from the parlour; and, as Griffiths tells them, am at rest. Now, I wait but his summons. He is gone to hint among the servants here the advantage he is about to take of his master's infirmity, and hypocritically to request some one will make an excuse for him should _I by chance awake and ring my bell before he returns_.--The coast securely clear, I quit the house; join Griffiths at the lodge; and, at the corner of a little town, only a quarter of a mile from Sir Gilbert's, we are to find Griffiths' brother waiting in a chaise. This brother, who would not have been here if we hadn't sent for him, was only a common footman a week ago, but the two days he has passed at the inn in our neighbourhood has transformed him into a man of property; and he does not choose to go four miles in the rain without a covered carriage. Had it not rained, he would probably have received a sprain in his ancle, or his knee. The grand business over, for which his assistance is required, he puts on the Filmar livery, and becomes my footman. I was going to say my wife's, but there's hazard in that. Gratitude may beget love; and violently grateful will she be, no doubt, to the man that has helped to make--her fortune.----Walter, I am no coward: yet, I say again, would it were over! I will put this paper in my pocket.----Should I get undetected into the castle, I shall have many hours of waiting; and to write my thoughts will certainly relieve me during the tedious interval. I hear Griffiths' signal.----I come.----Adieu.----Safe in the castle!----'Tis just eleven o'clock.--Two will be the earliest I dare attempt to seize my prize.----Three hours! three ages, I may say, to undergo all the misery of expecting, in every blast of wind, the destruction of my project!----Wind enough!----how it rolls!--Floods of rain too!--A horrid and tempestuous night, this!----We must procure some covering, to shield her from the storm till we reach the chaise. I will mention it to Griffiths, that he may be quite in readiness. I should be sorry were she to suffer by the storm's inclemency. Does she go unwillingly, she suffers enough in going; goes she willingly, still she deserves not to suffer.----Why, thou cold whining Filmar, where is thy manhood?--Only the last stroke wanting, and that the easiest to accomplish, and thy scheme--thy darling scheme is--perfect.--Thy very valet claps the wings of exultation, and sings the song of triumph! Shame! shame! Rouse thyself! cast a look forward, Filmar!----