Percival--keeping his dwelling in order and preparing for him his frugal meals. Having recorded these few necessary particulars, we shall now return to the little back parlour, where Mr. Percival and his two visitresses were seated. His back was turned to the window: but Mrs. Fitzhardinge and Perdita, who sate opposite to him, faced it,--while the candle stood on the mantel,--so that had any one peeped through the heart-holes in the shutters, the countenances of the women must have been plainly visible to such curious observer outside the casement. “Your daughter, madam, I presume?” said Mr. Percival, with a polite inclination of the head towards the handsome Perdita. “Yes, my dear sir,” was the reply. “And she is about to form an excellent match with a young gentleman who is indeed a nobleman by right, and who will shortly assert his title to that distinction. He wishes to borrow money for his immediate purposes and also to assist me: hence my visit to you this evening.” “Well--well, my dear madam,” said Percival; “if the security be good----” “The security is ample,” returned Mrs. Fitzhardinge. “He is indubitably the heir to vast estates--and his bond----” “Will be quite sufficient,” added Percival. “That is--presuming him to be of age----” “He is twenty-five years old,” said Mrs. Fitzhardinge. “But the history of himself and family is most extraordinary: and his father is not altogether unknown to you:--for, if I remember aright, it was you who prosecuted the celebrated highwayman, Thomas Rainford, for the robbery of the late Sir Christopher Blunt?” “What earthly connexion can exist between Tom Rain and the young nobleman who wants to borrow money?” demanded Percival, with unfeigned astonishment.