"Your reasons have been mentioned to me, but I confess I do not see their force. Jemmy Dawson has not been swayed by such feelings, but has risked his father's displeasure to serve the prince. He did not hesitate when told that a young lady's hand would be the reward of his compliance with her request." "Till this moment I did not know why Jemmy had joined, having heard him express indifference to the cause. May I venture to ask the name of the fair temptress?" "Excuse me. You will learn the secret in due time." "He shall learn it now," interposed Monica. "I do not blush to own that I am the temptress. I am proud of my Jemmy's devotion--proud, also, of having gained the prince so important a recruit." "You may well be proud of Jemmy, Monica," said Constance. "He has many noble qualities and cannot fail to distinguish himself." "He is as brave as he is gentle," said Monica--"a veritable preux et hardi chevalier, and will live or die like a hero." "You are an enthusiastic girl," said Constance. "In my place you would be just as enthusiastic, Constance," rejoined the other. Atherton listened with a beating heart to this discourse, which was well calculated to stir his feelings. Just then, however, an interruption was offered by the entrance of Sir Richard Rawcliffe. "Very glad to see you, sir," cried the baronet, shaking hands with Atherton. "I perceive you have already made the acquaintance of my daughter and her cousin, Miss Butler, so I needn't introduce you. Are you aware that my niece is engaged to your friend, Jemmy Dawson?" "Yes, Mr. Atherton Legh knows all about it, papa," said Constance. "He has brought you a letter from Dr. Byrom," she added, giving it to him. "Excuse me," said Sir Richard, opening the note. As he hastily scanned its contents, his countenance fell. "Has something gone wrong, papa?" cried Constance, uneasily. "I am threatened with arrest for treasonable practices," replied Sir Richard. "Dr. Byrom counsels immediate flight, or concealment. But where am I to fly?--where conceal myself?" he added, looking quite bewildered. "You had better leave the inn at once, papa," said Constance, who, though greatly alarmed, had not lost her presence of mind. At this moment, a noise was heard outside that increased the uneasiness of the party. CHAPTER XI. THE BOROUGHREEVE OF MANCHESTER. Situated in the front of the house, the room commanded the market-place. Atherton rushed to the window to ascertain what was taking place, and was followed by the baronet. "Do not show yourself, Sir Richard," cried the young man, motioning him to keep back. "The chief magistrates are outside--Mr. Fielden, the boroughreeve, and Mr. Walley and Mr. Fowden, the constables. They have a posse of peace-officers with them." "They are come to arrest me!" exclaimed Sir Richard. "Save yourself, papa!--save yourself!" cried Constance. "Not a moment is to be lost."